Chunghwa Telecom (CHT), Taiwan's largest mobile and fixed operator, is reported to have signed a contract with Apple Inc to sell the hottest handset with fast 3G wireless technology and GPS mapping in Taiwan starting from next month, said a Chinese-language newspaper.

The news has indeed made the Taiwan public feel excited and since the information was released, some speculating that CHT may introduce a contracted cell phone plan to boost its mobile network market by giving iPhone 3G out free of charge.

Cell phone specialists pointed out that if iPhone 3G is not locked to CHT, then the official selling of iPhone 3G in Taiwan's mobile market would help slash the price of the iPhone handsets sold on Internet auction sales by a least NT$3,000.

Apple iPhone has secured its position in the mobile phone market in the world with the slogan "Twice as fast. Half the price." Chunghwa will be the first local wireless phone provider to join hands with Apple Inc to sell iPhone on the island.

Rumor has it that the cooperation between Nokia and CHT to put out a starting service charge of NT$2,990 of Nokia's Crystal Prism cell phone models in recent past served as a testing ground for the upcoming launch of iPhone 3G. But, the CHT has been reluctant to comment on the speculation.

According to an online poll from "iPhone4.TW," about 60 percent of a total of 120 Taiwanese netizens would rather buy iPhone at the price of NT$25,000 without being bound by any contracts with cell phone providers.

by Taiwan news, Website Editorial Staff