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Singapore - New rules may transform telcos Source: Business Times Singapore, 18 April 2008 The Singapore government is proposing new rules to ensure a truly competitive landscape when its national broadband network gets off the ground - with potentially far-reaching implications. If passed, the new legislation might even lead to the transformation of SingTel from a telco into a services provider - where it uses the infrastructure without owning it, said one industry expert. SingTel is among 10 groups that have indicated interest in building the nation's ambitious S$1 billion (US$742 million) national broadband network. StarHub and MobileOne have teamed up with Hong Kong's City Telecom to pre-qualify to tender for the project which is slated to run nationwide by 2015 though some services can be ready from about 2010. Telcos are increasingly recognising that they do not need to build or own the infrastructure to deliver telecommunication services. Asia - Strong growth in PC market Source: Computerworld Singapore, 21 Apr 2008 The PC market in the Asia Pacific (excluding Japan) grew 19% year-on-year to 17 million units in the first quarter of 2008, according to IDC. Portable PCs were the main contributor, growing 54% year on year. Nearly every country posted double-digit growth. Lenovo remained the top PC vendor in the region despite the Lunar New Year slowdown. IDC believes that the Asia Pacific PC market is on track for 17% growth in 2008, especially if portable PCs continue their relentless push into the market. Taiwan - 3G subscriptions to reach 10 million in 2008 Source: BMI Industry Insights, 21 April 2008 The Taiwanese Institute for Information Industry (III) has indicated that it expects there to be more than 10 million 3G subscribers in the country by the end of 2008. This would represent a 45% increase in 3G subscriptions from the 6.9 million reported by the III for the end of 2007. Taiwan's mobile market is one of the most mature in the region, with a penetration rate of 106% at the end of 2007, and 3G subscriptions make up an ever larger proportion of the market. There were 24.4 million mobile subscribers in Taiwan at the end of 2007, with around 87% of the market owned by the three largest operators, Chunghwa Telecom, TWM and FarEasTone. Chunghwa also leads the 3G mobile market, with 2.3 million subscribers recorded at the end of 2007, making up 26.3% of the company's subscriber base. The operator has announced that it will spend US$4 billion over the next five-to-seven years on expanding its 3G services and network, including 56% of 2008's US$987 million budget on acquiring 3G handsets.     View an example of our experience in this industry. Back to list of articles.  Visit our website to sign up for free intelligence on Asian markets.

This Weekly News Update is a free newsletter, providing a round-up of the week's Asia-Pacific news from our core industry practices. If you have colleagues or friends who may be interested in subscribing, please forward this email to them and copy knowledge@fusionc.com.

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