TFN Media, an affiliate of the Taiwan Mobile (TWM) Group and the fourth largest MSO (multi-system operator of cable TV) currently in Taiwan, will expand its user base from 500,000 subscribers at present to one million to rank among the top three MSOs at the end of 2008, according to TWM president Harvey Chang at a press conference on February 26. The company aims to eventually become the largest MSO in Taiwan, noted Chang.
TFN Media is a wholly owned subsidiary of Taiwan Fixed Network (TFN), TWM's largest subsidiary.
TFN Media will increase the number of its subscribers by merging with existing MSOs and independent operators of cable TV services as long as purchase prices are acceptable, Chang explained. TFN Media is also expected to complete digitization of its cable networks in 2010, Chang pointed out.
In line with the digitization schedule, TFN Media will offer 5,000 free set-top boxes (STBs) for trial use beginning in June 2008 in an experimental area under its business coverage, Chang noted.
TFN Media and the other four of the top five MSOs plan to jointly apply with Taiwan's Fair Trade Commission to specify common STB technology standards, including middleware and conditional access solutions, in a move for future joint procurement of STBs, according to industry sources. Through joint procurement, end-user prices of STBs may be pushed down to NT$1,300 (US$41) for an entry-level model, NT$2,500 for a mid-range model and NT$4,000 for a high-end model, the sources pointed out.
There currently are 4.60 million cable TV subscribers with 2.2 TVs per household on average in Taiwan, implying a large potential demand for up to 10.12 million STBs, the sources indicated.
Article translated by Adam Hwang
