Taiwan plans to issue two mobile television licenses in October 2010 and the capital threshold for applicants is reportedly about NTD1 billion.

According to reports in local media, the decision was made during a recent meeting participated by Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Taiwan's telecom regulator National Communications Commission, telecom operators, cable television operators, and industry experts.

With each license, the operator will gain 6MHZ spectrum, in the bands of 35CH or 36CH; and the rights to open between 18 and 20 channels.

On the issuance of the licenses, Taiwanese users are expected to gain the new mobile television service at the price of NTD200 to NTD300 per month. If the service is well accepted, it can bring monthly income of at least NTD4.6 billion to operators.

Shih Mu-piao, vice general manager of Chunghwa Telecom, said mobile television will use the radio channels in the future, which means it will not increase a lot of costs and will benefit the development of value-added services.