Taiwan is to throw open its fixed-line telecommunication market to foreign investment in 2001, two years ahead of schedule, to facilitate its entry into the World Trade Organization (WTO). Directorate-General of Telecommunications section chief Wang Pi-lien said fixed-line operations were opened to the local private sector six months ago, following years of monopoly by the state-run Chung Hwa Telecom. He said the government had originally planned to open the market to international companies in 2003. But now the liberalization will take place in first half of 2001 for national calls while the international calls business will open after July 2001, he said.
