Taiwan Mobile merges with T Star, beginning a new era of value creation in telecom industry

December 01,2023

Taiwan Mobile and Taiwan Star Telecom Merge to Forge a New Era in Telecommunications

After 23 months of meticulous communication and negotiation encompassing preparatory work for IT systems, network technology, employee placement, user rights, and software and hardware integration, Taiwan Mobile Co., Ltd officially consummated its merger with Taiwan Star Telecom Corporation Limited (T Star) on December 1, 2023. This landmark merger marks a pivotal moment for the telecommunications industry as it bids adieu to the era of cutthroat price wars, transitioning into a realm of value-centric competition. With this union, Taiwan Mobile now proudly serves a user base of 10.28 million subscribers.

Leveraging advanced technology, Taiwan Mobile utilizes the maximum bandwidth of 100MHz across the coveted 3.5GHz golden frequency band, in addition to the dual low frequencies of 700MHz and 900MHz. This strategic positioning empowers Taiwan Mobile to deliver unparalleled internet services while introducing a plethora of value-packed plans such as “Double Play”, “momobile,” and “OP Life” to enrich the market offerings. In celebration of this momentous occasion, Taiwan Mobile unveiled a brand promotional video along with the resounding slogan: “Together We March! (TWM)”, symbolizing the dawn of a new epoch in the country’s telecommunications landscape.

On the inaugural day of amalgamation, Taiwan Mobile Chairman, Daniel Tsai, extended heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated employees of both companies for their unwavering commitment over the course of nearly two years. Their collective efforts surmounted myriad challenges, from seamless network integration to ensuring uninterrupted services for existing clientele and facilitating smooth employee transitions. Tsai heralded this milestone as the inception of a new chapter in Taiwan's telecommunications saga, emphasizing the company's steadfast commitment to prioritizing value in all endeavors. Looking ahead, Tsai articulated a vision for the "5G Taiwan Team" to champion sustainability within the information and communication industry, catalyzing holistic reform initiatives grounded in ESG principles for the betterment of society at large.

Since 2016, Taiwan Mobile has spearheaded several initiatives aimed at environmental sustainability, including advocating for the government's shutdown of the 2G network and championing the paradigm of shared frequencies, networks, and construction. The merger with T Star further underscores this commitment, resulting in tangible reductions in electricity consumption and carbon emissions, thereby contributing positively to the global fight against climate change. At this critical juncture in Taiwan's telecommunications evolution, Taiwan Mobile pledges to leverage its diverse portfolio encompassing finance, telecommunications, digital, and retail services to chart a course towards global expansion, thus laying the foundation for a more prosperous future for all stakeholders.

President Jamie Lin echoed Chairman Tsai's sentiments, lauding the merger as a catalyst for steering the industry away from the tumultuous era of price wars towards a new frontier of value-driven competition. Lin expressed profound gratitude to regulatory bodies, including the National Communication Commission (NCC) and the Fair Trade Commission (FTC), for their pivotal role in greenlighting the merger, underscoring their shared commitment to advancing Taiwan's telecom sector. Lin outlined the company's ambitious "5G+" strategy, poised to transform Taiwan Mobile into a Telco+Tech powerhouse, while fostering synergistic collaborations with T Star to propel innovation in telecommunications and technology. He extended a warm invitation to professionals to join the esteemed "5G Taiwan Team" on this transformative journey.

The amalgamation seamlessly integrates T Star's spectrum assets, including the coveted 900MHz and 2600MHz bands, with Taiwan Mobile's existing spectrum portfolio, spanning the 700MHz, 1800MHz, 2100MHz, 3.5GHz, and 28GHz spectrums. Leveraging state-of-the-art 5G NR carrier aggregation technology, Taiwan Mobile aims to consolidate its position as an industry leader by aggregating the 60MHz and 40MHz blocks on the 3.5GHz spectrum, thereby pioneering the deployment of the industry's largest 5G 100MHz block, poised to deliver unparalleled network speed and coverage. With an unwavering commitment to enhancing communications infrastructure and bridging digital divides, Taiwan Mobile is steadfast in its mission to achieve 98% 5G population coverage by 2025.

Furthermore, Taiwan Mobile is poised to revolutionize enterprise networking by seamlessly integrating its 60MHz 3.5GHz spectrum block with T Star's 40MHz block, thereby fortifying its position as a premier provider of advanced 5G enterprise solutions. By harnessing the collective expertise of nearly 300 business partners, Taiwan Mobile is committed to nurturing a vibrant 5G AIoT ecosystem, unlocking new avenues for innovation and economic growth. Recognizing the pivotal role of small and medium enterprises (SMG) in driving economic prosperity, Taiwan Mobile endeavors to empower SMG with tailored telecom and SaaS solutions, thereby enhancing their competitiveness and accelerating the adoption of 5G-enabled vertical applications.

Post-merger, Taiwan Mobile's expanded network footprint now encompasses over ten million users, enabling the introduction of discounted voice calls and a diverse array of promotional plans tailored to cater to diverse demographics. Notably, Taiwan Mobile introduces a groundbreaking 4G/5G monthly plan priced at NT$149, specifically curated for individuals with disabilities, low-income earners, students, and the elderly. This inclusive initiative underscores Taiwan Mobile's unwavering commitment to serving the needs of all segments of society, ensuring equitable access to cutting-edge telecommunications services. Existing users can rest assured that their rights will remain safeguarded, with no disruption to the services outlined in their original contracts.

Taiwan Mobile recognizes that its workforce is the cornerstone of its success and remains committed to fostering a dynamic and inclusive workplace culture. Initiatives such as the T Star employee relocation plan, job matchmaking events, educational and training programs, and cultural integration mechanisms underscore Taiwan Mobile's dedication to nurturing a cohesive and diverse workforce, poised to drive future growth and innovation.

In conclusion, the merger between Taiwan Mobile and T Star heralds a new dawn in Taiwan's telecommunications landscape, characterized by value-driven competition, sustainable growth, and inclusive innovation. As the industry charts a course towards an era of unprecedented connectivity and digital transformation, Taiwan Mobile remains steadfast in its commitment to pioneering cutting-edge solutions that empower individuals, businesses, and communities alike. Together, we march towards a brighter, more connected future.