Taiwan
Taiwan’s ITRI integrates virtual and real technologies on display at CES 2024
Major international manufacturers such as NVIDIA, Meta, and Microsoft are actively building a new generation virtual ecosystem. With the support of the Industrial Technology Department of the Ministry of Economic Affairs, ITRI (Taiwan’s largest high-tech applied research institutions) has continued to develop an interactive experience that integrates virtual and real, and launched its first interactive experience at the US Consumer Electronics Show (CES 2024).
ITRI announced the introduction of AI-incorporating display and entertainment technologies along with robotics innovations at CES 2024. ITRI presented 10 groundbreaking innovations spanning AI robotics, smart sports, digital health, and AI display and entertainment.
ITRI partnered with Lianjia Optoelectronics, a major automotive LED module manufacturer, to launch a “high-fidelity 3D interactive system ” to seize 3D entertainment business opportunities.
Director of Market Research at the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), Jessica Boothe, praised ITRI’s exhibits for embodying the CES 2024 trends of AI, sustainability, and inclusivity. Expressing her enthusiasm, Boothe highlighted one of the showcased innovations, the Hyper-realistic 3D Interactive System, which was poised to launch a collaboration with Excellence Optoelectronics Inc. (EOI), a prominent automobile LED module manufacturer.
“I must say, very exciting showcase this year. We find everything to be on-trend. The CES 2024 trends were predicted to be AI, sustainability, and inclusivity. And we have all of that right here in your booth,” remarked Boothe. “We’re really excited that ITRI has been here since 2017. As we’re celebrating CTA’s 100-year anniversary, it’s nice to say that we have exhibitors like ITRI coming back every year to CES, and we continue to see ITRI continue to innovate,” she added.
“CES is the most influential tech event in the world, and this is the eighth time ITRI has participated,” said ITRI President Edwin Liu. “To be at CES, we have two main purposes: to showcase ITRI on the global stage and to provide our team with valuable exposure to the latest advancements worldwide. Through CES, ITRI is opening up even more collaboration opportunities, engaging with potential investors, and exploring tech licensing and ventures,” he added.
“ITRI has worked on smart interactive display technology for years, and our collaboration with EOI on the Hyper-Realistic 3D Interactive Display is one of the best successes. This also allows us to strategically deploy diversified product lines in Taiwan, the United States, and Europe,” said President Liu. ITRI also promoted the Institute’s strategic partnerships with Light Matrix and its investor ADATA Technology on iGolfPutter, an intelligent interactive golf simulator. Utilizing Light Matrix’s smart sports training and teaching system called SyncShot360 in iGolfPutter, targeting the global sports technology market. Notably, iGolfPutter has been named by Forbes Magazine as one of the technologies to look for at CES 2024.
EOI Chairman, Dr. Kuohsin Huang, elaborated on their collaboration project with ITRI, stating, “Unlike traditional methods relying on multiple cameras, the Hyper-realistic 3D Interactive System (ChartBox) can generate a personal, interactive 3D digital avatar from a 2D photograph. This 2D-to-3D process integrates various technologies, including real-time image matting, backside model generation, expression changes, natural speech, AI response, and facial recognition.” He added, “Furthermore, its next-generation display technology positions EOI to enter the new market of audio-video entertainment and artistic performances.”
Simon Chen, Chairman of ADATA, emphasized, “Beyond our commitment to providing top-notch memory solutions, ADATA is venturing into cutting-edge sports technology through cross-industry collaboration. Our goal is to offer an optimal training environment for athletes and an innovative experience for spectator sports. Leveraging ADATA’s well-established global distribution channels, we can actively promote Taiwan’s sports industry on the international stage.”
Commenting on iGolfPutter and SyncShot360, Light Matrix CEO Joe Chen said, “The combination of fast 3D modeling, volumetric capture, and virtual-real fusion in the metaverse creates never-before-seen services that the sports and art industry would love. Our volumetric view technology, born out of collaboration with ITRI, allows for a more precise, 360-degree intelligent analysis of golf and other sports. It holds the promise of applications in sporting events and stage performances, setting an excellent foundation for future expansion in the global market.”
From left to right in the above photo are Lin Zhaoxian, vice president of ITRI and director of the International Institute of Obstetrics and gynecology, Liu Wenxiong, president of ITRI, Huang Guoxin, chairman of Lianjia Optoelectronics, and Huang Fangyu, general manager of Lianjia Optoelectronics.
About ITRI:
Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is one of the world’s leading technology R&D institutions aiming to innovate a better future for society. Founded in 1973, ITRI has played a vital role in transforming Taiwan’s industries from labor-intensive into innovation-driven. To address market needs and global trends, it has launched its 2035 Technology Strategy and Roadmap that focuses on innovation development in Smart Living, Quality Health, Sustainable Environment, and Resilient Society.
Over the years, ITRI has been dedicated to incubating startups and spinoffs, including well-known names such as UMC and TSMC. In addition to its headquarters in Taiwan, ITRI has branch offices in the U.S., Europe, and Japan in an effort to extend its R&D scope and promote international cooperation across the globe. For more information, please visit https://www.itri.org/eng.
References:
ABI Research: Telco transformation measured via patents and 3GPP contributions; 5G accelerating in China
Taiwan has over 1M 5G subscribers since July 2020 5G service launch
Taiwan officially entered the 5G era in July of this year. In less than half a year, the total number of 5G subscribers in Taiwan has broken the 1 million mark. Chunghwa Power, FarEasy, and Taiwan Mobile each have about 300,000 5G users while Taiwan Star has exceeded 100,000. Asia Pacific Telecom also has 5G subscribers in Taiwan.
Chunghwa Power was originally scheduled to reach 300,000 5G users by the end of the year. Chunghwa Chairman Xie Jimao said recently that he had reached the standard ahead of schedule and was “cautiously optimistic” about the results of rushing out of 500,000 by the end of the year. He hopes to reach one million in June next year.
Regarding the construction of 5G base stations, Xie Jimao said that the total number of 5G base stations in Taiwan’s telecommunications companies has exceeded 10,000, and Chunghwa Power’s progress has exceeded 4,000 units. The investment in 5G next year will accelerate the increase. Next year, the mobile investment is estimated to exceed NT$ 10 billion ($355 million) . Chunghwa expects more than 50% of 4G users will be converted to 5G within three years.
Jing Qi, the general manager of FarEasy Telecom, said recently that since the launch of 5G in Taiwan in July, telecommunications companies have been actively building. FarEasy will follow the lead of Chunghwa Telecom. The number of 5G users has exceeded 300,000, which is equivalent to reaching the end of the year goal ahead of schedule.
–>Both Chunghwa and FarEasy are aiming to achieve 1 million 5G subs by the second half of 2021.
Taiwan Mobile General Manager Lin Zhichen said that Taiwan’s 5G users have exceeded 300,000, and the user upgrade speed is faster than expected. It is estimated that the 5G user penetration rate is expected to reach 15% to 20% by the end of next year.
Taiwan Star today announced the launch of the “Double 12 Limited” offer. Zhu Xiaoxing, senior deputy general manager of the Taiwan Star Marketing Division, also stated that the current total number of 5G users has exceeded the 100,000 mark, of which 62% are new customers and 38% are Old customers have upgraded or renewed their original contracts. It is expected that this double 12 will drive the overall 5G bidding performance to grow by 20%.
Asia-Pacific Telecom launched 5G services in late October this year, with a goal of 5G penetration rate reaching 10% to 12% within one year, and it will turn losses into profits in 3 to 5 years.
Taiwan 5G network industrial illustration, huge cellular tower or mast on digital background with the Taiwan flag top left – 3D Illustration
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Taiwan Mobile has already decided on a 75% hike in 5G spending to around NT$14 billion ($486.8 million). Chunghwa has also sketched out its growing 5G collaboration with Taiwan’s chip and hardware firms, which see opportunities in 5G mmWave equipment.
The telco has set up a 5G Open Lab with network gear from both Ericsson and Nokia, where local players such as chip firm MediaTek, notebook supplier Acer, handset-maker HTC and ODMs Inventec and Wistron Neweb can develop and test their new kit. The lab will take advantage of Chunghwa Telecom’s continuous bandwidth of 600MHz in the 28GHz mm Wave band.
Ivan Lin, president of Chunghwa Telecom Research Institute, said Chunghwa believed the mm Wave band provided a better development environment for high-throughput, low-latency applications such as AR/VR live video, HD video and smart surveillance.
Additionally, Chunghwa is running smart factory field trials for mmWave enterprise networks and is supporting AI and unmanned vehicle applications and AR-based remote collaboration.
References:
https://money.udn.com/money/story/5612/5081901
https://www.lightreading.com/asia/taiwan-hits-1m-5g-subs-after-five-months/d/d-id/766153?
Far EasTone Telecommunications 5G Indoor Trials; Chunghwa Telecom 5G Field Trial for Driverless Cars
The telecom hopes the trials help companies transit to 5G technology more smoothly, vice president Philip Tseng told reporters in Taipei.
Far EasTone Telecommunications Co Ltd of Taiwan said yesterday that it plans to set up an indoor 5G trial field next month at Neihu Technology Park for 100 enterprises or research organizations. The announcement came a day after the telecom won the first approval to install a 5G-based Proof of Business network. The Taiwan National Telecommunications Commission has approved six 5G proof-of-concept trials and is still reviewing other applications, it said, adding that it welcomes more applications to explore business opportunities or business models on 5G networks. Telecoms that win 5G spectrum licenses are expected to launch commercial 5G services in July next year (2020) at the earliest, the commission said.
The telecom said it plans to offer the trials in collaboration with Ericsson Taiwan at the Neihu Sports Center on a commercial 5G network using the 3.5 gigahertz band. As part of the trials, Far EasTone is to supply free 5G SIM cards, routers and a 5G applications enablement platform (undefined?), allowing firms to test Internet of Things (IoT) business opportunities from this month to December 2019. The average download speed of the 5G network will be at least 10 times faster than a 4G LTE network, the company said.
“We hope the trials help upstream and downstream companies transit to 5G technology more smoothly,” Far EasTone vice president Philip Tseng told reporters on the sidelines of a news conference in Taipei. The telecom is teaming up with Taipei’s Smart City Project Management Office, Department of Information Technology and Department of Economic Development, as well as the Taiwan IOT Technology and Industry Association to launch the 5G trials.
Notebook computer maker Compal Electronics Inc and smartphone maker HTC Corp are to provide the 5G endpoints to be tested, the telecom said.
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Ericsson — Taiwan to beat Europe in 5G deployments:
In August, Ericsson said it expects Taiwan to ramp up 5G services faster than Europe once the nation’s 5G spectrum is auctioned, thanks to its strong position in the communications components manufacturing supply chain.
“Taiwan has an industry that manufactures a lot of components. That is not the case in many countries in Europe or elsewhere,” Nassif told a media briefing in Taipei. “Here you have the possibility of creating all kinds of ecosystems. You have a better chance of rapidly achieving scale.”
“Taiwan is getting ready and I have a good feeling that 5G will be here in Taiwan next year, thanks to the many initiatives that have been planned by local telecoms even before December’s 5G spectrum auction,” Nassif said.
Taiwan’s National Communications Commission plans to auction 2,790 megahertz (MHz) of bandwidth for 5G services, including 270MHz in the 3.5 gigahertz (GHz) band, 2,500MHz in the 28GHz band and 20MHz in the 1,800MHz band. The commission has not yet set the floor price.
Taiwan has shown a readiness to embrace 5G services, given its high data usage — 20 gigabytes per month, one of the highest in the world — and its tech-savvy mobile users, said Peter Fung, head of networks for Ericsson in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Macau.
Ericsson, which has secured 47 contracts from telecoms worldwide, is collaborating with Chunghwa Telecom Co (中華電信), Far EasTone Telecommunications Co (遠傳電信) and Asia Pacific Telecom Co (亞太電信) in the deployment of their 5G networks.
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About Far EasTone Telecommunications:
Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET) is a leading company in Taiwan which provides telecommunications and digital application services. Since its establishment in 1997, FET has strived to close the gap between people to achieve the objective of “Closing the distance”. As the 5G era approaches, FET has set its sights beyond telecommunications and has reinterpreted the brand statement in 2019, setting a new milestone with ” For Every Thought, We Go Further”. FET’s aim is, through Big Data, AI, IoT and other digital applications, to not only bring people closer together in mind, also to reduce the gap between people and new technology.
Since its establishment in 1997, FET has continued to introduce new products and services utilizing access technologies, including 2G, 3G, 4G and WiFi. As the popularity of smart devices grows rapidly, FET is investing heavily in the improvement of internet infrastructure, actively enhancing the speed and quality of mobile networks, upgrading base stations, and expanding the channel range.
FET has collaborated with the telecom equipment giant Ericsson to establish the first 5G Lab in Taiwan. In 2018, FET announced the establishment of the “FET 5G Pioneer Team,” the first in Taiwan to drive development of 5G connected vehicle technologies and ecosystem in Taiwan. In the future, it will further take on the challenge of reaching the fastest network speed with 4-band dual technology. We will also continue to develop IoT applications and polish our mobile services to become the preferred partner in the digital life and pave a solid path forward to the future of 5G roll-out.
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References:
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2019/10/05/2003723392
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2019/08/13/2003720368
https://www.fetnet.net/corporate/en/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Communications_Commission
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In a related development — Chunghwa Telecom holds 5G field trial for driverless cars:
Chunghwa Telecom yesterday (October 3, 2019) conducted a 5G spectrum-based field trial for autonomous vehicles at a lab in New Taipei City’s Banciao District to demonstrate vehicle-to-infrastructure technology developed by a subsidiary. The telecom expects to provide more autonomous vehicle tests and trials using 5G networks at its lab in the future.
“Our aim is to help grow this 5G value chain ranging from chips and small cell stations to all kinds of applications,” Chunghwa Telecom chairman Hsieh Chi-mau told reporters on the sidelines of the field trial.
The company focuses on the delivery of real-time information, such as traffic data to vehicles using high-speed and low-latency 5G technology, while Kingwaytek Technology Co (勤崴), a 26 percent held subsidiary, is helping to develop autonomous driving systems, particularly for shuttle buses, Hsieh said. Kingwaytek is a supplier of high-definition (HD) electronic maps and vehicle navigation systems.
“We are developing a decisionmaking system for self-driving vehicles and a traffic prediction system, which will be combined with our HD electronic maps to complete our self-driving solution,” Kingwaytek chairman Alfred Ko said. Kingwaytek plans to conduct a series of self-driving field trials next year in collaboration with Automotive Research and Testing Center via a sandbox program in Changhua County, Ko said.
The trial, if successful, would pave the way for the company to sell its self-driving solutions overseas in the next two to three years, injecting new revenue growth momentum into the business, he said. Southeast Asian nations would be ideal markets, as Chunghwa Telecom’s strength in the region could provide leverage, he said.
President Tsai Ing-wen, sitting, tries out 5G-enabled technology at a news conference in New Taipei City yesterday. Photo: Lai Hsiao-tung, Taipei Times
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Kingwaytek operates one autonomous vehicle trial field in Changhua County and another in Taoyuan’s Hutoushan.
Chungwha Telecom and Taiwan Mobile Co both said separately that they have submitted their applications to bid for 5G bandwidth and are prepared to substantially invest in 5G network deployment. Asked if Taiwan Mobile still aims to secure 100 megahertz of bandwidth at the auction, Taiwan Mobile president Jamie Lin (林之晨) said: “Only for a reasonable price.”
“Taiwan Mobile will make 5G [services] available in the second half of next year,” Lin said.
The telecom is in talks with multiple agencies about launching 5G trial fields, he said, adding that the company has one trial field in the baseball stadium in New Taipei City’s Sinjhuang District.
Reference:
http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/biz/archives/2019/10/04/2003723337
Taiwan Regulator: Price Wars Negative for 5G Development & Deployments
Taiwan’s National Communications Commission (NCC) regulator said that an ongoing price war in the Taiwanese mobile industry could hamper the development and deployment of 5G, according to an article in the Taipei Times.
The warning came after Chunghwa Telecom introduced a fourth-generation (4G) service plan earlier this month that targets government workers, teachers, school staff and military personnel, charging users NT$499 per month for unlimited access to mobile Internet and unlimited phone calls between subscribers of the same network. Taiwan Mobile, Far EasTone Telecommunications and Asia-Pacific Telecom quickly followed suit, introducing the same plan to attract subscribers.
NCC spokesperson Wong Po-tsung (翁柏宗) said that the commission respects a free market system, but added: “If telecoms simply want to boost their market shares and revenue by luring subscribers from competitors, rather than with innovative business models, it would not be positive for the development of 5G in the nation.”
“What they are doing does not help to make the pie bigger. They are not benefiting from innovative business models that could sustain them through the maintenance and operation of 4G services, the auctioning of the 5G service spectrum and finally commercial operation of 5G,” Wong said.
“That would hamper sustainable development of the nation’s telecommunications industry,” he added.
While carriers in other countries have sought to provide original content by buying content producers or have expanded their businesses overseas, Taiwanese telecoms are unlikely to do so, Wong said.
“Either none of them are big enough to develop their businesses overseas, or the acquisition of content providers is out of the question because of regulations that ban the government, political parties and the military from investing in media,” Wong said.
Carriers need to have courage and stop offering unlimited data and call service at unreasonably low prices, which would hurt their development in the long term, Wong said.
It is not the first time that telecoms have engaged in price competition to attract subscribers since 4G was launched in 2014. Average monthly fees dropped from about NT$1,300 to below NT$1,000 within one year of the service being launched, in a bid to motivate people to upgrade to 4G. The tactic was revived last year, with prices dropping further to NT$599 per month.
NCC statistics showed that mobile carriers’ revenue has declined from NT$53.2 billion (US$1.81 billion) in the second quarter of 2016 to NT$49.4 billion in the fourth quarter of last year.
Apart from a continued decrease in revenue from voice communication and a rapid increase in data transmission, industry experts have also attributed the decline in revenue to an ongoing price war. Offering unlimited data and call services at unreasonably low prices will hurt operators’ development in the long term, the regulator added. Operators are already grappling with declining revenue as a result of the price war, coupled with the continued decline in voice revenues.
As noted above, NCC does not believe that Taiwan’s operators will be able to follow the models their overseas counterparts have been pursuing to sustain growth – such as expanding overseas. pursuing acquisitions, or diversifying into original media content – due to Taiwanese operators’ relatively small size and regulatory restrictions.