TAIPEI, Taiwan －The Ministry of Communications and the National Communications Commission (NCC) will implement the second phase of the fourth-generation mobile telecommunications (4G) and are expected this year to also release 2.6GHz spectrum for a total bandwidth of 190MHz. 50MHz of this bandwidth will use TD-LTE technology, and this will be the first time that Taiwan has released a spectrum with TD technology.
Currently, the first phase of the 4G spectrum release in Taiwan uses FDD- LTE specifications, which are primarily used in Europe and North America. The second phase is expected to release a total spectrum of 190MHz and still primarily use FDD LTE specifications; however, 50 MHz will use TD-LTE specifications.
From a technological standpoint, the 4G service in Taiwan primarily uses FDD LTE. If TD-LTE is added, another set of equipment will have to be installed. This will be tantamount to simultaneously operating two systems and also raise costs for telecommunications companies. Nevertheless, TD-LTE is an important technology for future 5G service; therefore, none of the telecommunications companies will opt out.
GTI, organizations promoting TD-LTE, and China Mobile are all currently actively lobbying the three major telecommunications companies in Taiwan, Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, and Far East, to provide TD-LTE technology.
Taiwan NCC stated that it has communicated with VMAX Telecom and VeeTIME about shifting to TD-LTE in the future in order to clear FDD-LTE related frequencies.
(TR:Phil Sweeney)
