Taiwan market: Microsoft cooperates with Chief Telecom to offer VoIP services
Microsoft, on June 26, announced the launch of VoIP services using Windows Live Messenger in the Taiwan market through cooperation with Chief Telecom, an operator of IP telecommunication services in Taiwan.
For the operation of the VoIP service, Microsoft uses its self-developed software while Chief Telecom is responsible for billing and customer service. IPEVO will also provide customized VoIP phones, Microsoft Taiwan indicated. Pricing for calls from PCs to fixed-line or mobile numbers is 50-80% lower than for the same services provided by fixed-line and mobile telecom carriers, according to Microsoft Taiwan. Taiwan is the third market in Asia in which Microsoft has launched the service next to Japan and South Korea, Microsoft Taiwan noted.
Microsoft's VoIP service is expected to bring competitive pressure on Skype which is operated in Taiwan by PChome Online. In the Taiwan market, MSN has eight million users while Skype has 2.2-2.5 million active users, of which 800,000 have at some time paid for the service, according to industry sources.
Chief Telecom is a subsidiary of Chunghwa Telecom (CHT). IPEVO was originally a business unit making Skype hardware under PChome until it was spun off, the sources noted.
For the operation of the VoIP service, Microsoft uses its self-developed software while Chief Telecom is responsible for billing and customer service. IPEVO will also provide customized VoIP phones, Microsoft Taiwan indicated. Pricing for calls from PCs to fixed-line or mobile numbers is 50-80% lower than for the same services provided by fixed-line and mobile telecom carriers, according to Microsoft Taiwan. Taiwan is the third market in Asia in which Microsoft has launched the service next to Japan and South Korea, Microsoft Taiwan noted.
Microsoft's VoIP service is expected to bring competitive pressure on Skype which is operated in Taiwan by PChome Online. In the Taiwan market, MSN has eight million users while Skype has 2.2-2.5 million active users, of which 800,000 have at some time paid for the service, according to industry sources.
Chief Telecom is a subsidiary of Chunghwa Telecom (CHT). IPEVO was originally a business unit making Skype hardware under PChome until it was spun off, the sources noted.
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