Global Mobile to finalize first-phase WiMAX equipment procurement before year-end 2008

Global Mobile, a WiMAX licensee for the northern region of Taiwan, is beginning to solicit quotations for its first-phase procurement of WiMAX equipment with plans to finalize potential suppliers and its procurement list before the end of this year, according to the company.

Purchasing budget could top NT$400-500 million (US$12.3-15.3 million) in the initial stage focusing on WiMAX ASN (access service network), CSN (connectivity service network) and application systems equipment, the company noted.

Global Mobile aims to kick off its WiMAX application services including mobile Internet, VoIP, and audio/video streaming in Taipei and Hsinchu in the second half of 2009, said the company.