The penetration rate of 5G service only hit 11.8 percent of smartphone users after the service was launched a year ago, the National Communications Commission (NCC) announced earlier this week, pledging to speed up facilitating related developments.
According to the NCC, the number of 5G users reached 2.76 million by the end of May– compared with 6.48 million, or a penetration rate of 27.6 percent– for 4G users on the service’s first anniversary.
With telecommunication service providers continuing to establish more 5G base stations across Taiwan to provide wider coverage, the NCC said it will offer subsidies of NT$15.5 billion (US$560 million) between 2021-2022, to encourage similar infrastructure projects.
The goal is to make sure 5G signal will be available to about 85 percent of the populations in 2.5 years, the NCC said.
Analysts said that to boost market interest in 5G services, both cheaper plans and more attractive applications must be launched.
Source: 5G penetration only 12% on first anniversary in Taiwan