Taiwan Mobile, last Friday, completed its merger with network operator Taiwan Star Telecom, better known as T-Star. The merger was a culmination of 23 months of preparatory work, including the convergence of IT systems, network technologies, employee placements, user rights, customer service, and many other departments. Over 16,000 communication and coordination meetings were held, with more than 240,000 staff from both ends. The merger is touted to reduce price competition and move towards a more meaningful new era of 'value' competition and environmental sustainability.
The 3.5GHz, 900MHz, and 2600MHz spectrum held by T-Star is fully complementary to the 700MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz, 3.5GHz, and 28GHz spectrum held by Taiwan Mobile. Taiwan Mobile will integrate the discontinuous 60MHz and 40MHz of the 3.5GHz frequency band and use 5G NR technology to provide maximum 5G bandwidth of 100MHz, significantly improving network coverage and speed.
Taiwan Mobile reports that the collective number of users under the merged entity has exceeded 10 million. T-Star guarantees that the rights and interests of its existing users remain unchanged and are according to existing tariff rules. The new entity will also offer subsidised 4G and 5G plans for low- and middle-income users, senior citizens and the handicapped, at a price of 149 yuan.
