Taiwan market: CHT expects 3G users to make up 50% of mobile phone user base at end of 3Q09

Chunghwa Telecom (CHT) expects its 3G subscribers to grow to account for 50% of all its mobile subscribers services at the end of the third quarter of 2009, according to the company.

CHT said it currently has 4.25 million 3G USIM subscribers, representing 47.2% of its total nine million subscribers. CHT is scheduled to launch iPhone 3GS at the end of August, and several Android-platform handsets soon, which will help add 3G subscribers, the company pointed out.

Currently, monthly ARPU is NT$500 (US$15.20) for 2G subscribers, NT$900 for 3G, and NT$1,500 for 3G subscribers using smartphones, CHT indicated.