Thursday, October 23, 2008

Appeals committee to overrule NCC block on CHT equity investment in Global Mobile, say sources

An appeal committee under Taiwan's National Communications Commission (NCC) has reportedly decided to override a previous NCC decision in March that rejected Chunghwa Telecom's planned investment of NT$150 million (US$4.5 million) in WiMAX licensee Global Mobile, according to sources familiar with the case.

The new ruling may pave the way for CHT to make equity investment in Global Mobile. However, sources at NCC declined to confirm whether the appeal committee has already reached such a decision.

The NCC rejected CHT's investment application on the grounds that it is against the principle of far market competition and also against certain rulings of the government's telecommunication laws.

The appeal committee is now considering annulling the previous ruling because it has found that Global Mobile is not a telecoms carrier subject to the controls of rules cited by the NCC previously.

CHT had withdrawn one-third of its investment capital from Global Mobile following the March decision. Sources at CHT said that the company may finally invest NT$100 million in Global Mobile if the NCC agrees to the decision made by the appeal committee.

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