Introduction

Taiwan’s broadband infrastructure is near mature after a series of Information and Communications Technology Initiative (ICT) policy promotion. However, for better competition with the other advanced countries in the development of innovative application and service, it is necessary for Taiwan to continuously optimize the broadband infrastructure so that all citizens can benefit from digital innovation.

The development of emerging broadband services involves many aspects, such as frequency allocation and assignment, the planning and coordination of the broadband pipelines deployment, the competition pressure for telecommunications and television industries arising from the sprout and thrive of new media services OTT and so on.

Following with the changes, there are several challenge issues Taiwan government has to tackle. For example, consumer rights protection, the universal service availability, and the balance between the information security measures and the freedom of speech needs in digital world. Therefore, to complete the eco-system of ICT in Taiwan, this action plan aims to improve Taiwan’s ICT infrastructure and develop an environment suitable for the development of digital economy and is committed to the goals of the DIGI+ program (Development, Innovation, Governance and Inclusion)

Promotional Strategies

To continue to upgrade Taiwan’s digital infrastructure, including broadband deployment and next generation spectrum planning and policy, acceleration of harmonization of laws and regulations, promotion of fair competition of digital convergence market and creation of reassuring and safe environment for innovative application, this action plan focuses on three main promotional strategies:

1. Continuous promotion of construction of network infrastructure for communication and dissemination
   • Facilitate the deployment and popularization of ultra-high-speed cable broadband network: because many digital convergence services require an ultra-high-speed network, we need to accelerate the deployment of ultra-high-speed broadband networks in general areas as well as rural areas. This project will review the policies and regulations related to the deployment of the existing broadband network to lower the barriers and costs of the deployment of Gbps broadband network and provide high-quality communication and dissemination network service.
   • Continue to promote mobile broadband construction and improve service quality: we should continue to improve the coverage of mobile broadband networka and speed so that the digital convergence service can be used by the users any time anywhere with any devices. This project will continue to promote the setup of base stations in publicly-owned buildings and on publicly-owned land. This project will also promote the deployment of mobile broadband networks in remote areas through policy instruments in order to implement digital human rights protection.
   • Continue to deepen the competition in the communication and dissemination market: regularly observe the competition in the communication and dissemination market though establishing market analysis indicators and studying foreign policy practices, guide the continuous competition of the communication and dissemination industry, and provide such information to the competent authority as an importance basis for market control and promoting competition.
2. Innovative service required by the promotion of digital economy
   • Assist the development of emerging technologies in Taiwan, such as B4G, 5G and IoTs: this project will review and amend the telecommunication and network standards for experiments and R&D required by the innovative application of emerging communication technologies, and open up business model trials to establish sound ecosystem.
   • Plan the release of emerging wireless spectrum for industrial technology development and innovative application service.
   • Establish the environment and conditions for the mature development of communication and dissemination value-added service: adjust service agreements and promote the development of innovative application service.
3. Complete the legal environment for digital human rights so that people can share the outcomes of digital convergence service.
   • Complete the legal environment: put forward the Telecommunication Management Act (draft) and the Digital Communication and Dissemination Act (draft) and propose the bills to the Legislative Yuan, continue to deepen the internet convergence of communication and dissemination, and create a fairer market competition.
   • Improve the mobile communication service quality in rural areas and public domain: enhance the wireless service quality of public domain, such as Taiwan Railway, Taiwan High Speed Rail, airports, government agencies and important tourist sites, and comprehensively improve the bandwidth of district public health centers and district public health offices in remote areas.
   • Protect personal information and privacy: put forward the Information Security Management Act (draft), study potential legal disputes concerning the communication and dissemination industries and review technical standards related to de-identification of personal information to create a safe and reliable network environment, taking into account both industrial development and personal privacy protection.