Taiwan commits to building broadband-enabled smart cities

Taiwan's Executive Yuan has launched a “Proposal for Speeding Broadband Wireless Services and Industry Developments,” to accelerate the development of smart cities, covering the acceleration of broadband wireless network construction, innovative broadband wireless application services, consumer rights protection, the development of broadband wireless technology, as well as cultivating talent to develop broadband wireless technology. 

The Ministry of Economic Affairs, Taiwan has revealed that it will support the following objectives in line with the proposal:

1. Test environments for 4G network access and application

Three to four fields will be selected for testing terminals and central office equipment, as wel as for validating networking technology and applications. The next generation of communication technology will be built based on the results.

2. Enriched 4G services 

Integrated content platforms for 4G services will be launched to help popularise innovative 4G services.

3. New 4G business models

A service verification platform is to be developed for smart parks, smart districts, smart traffic and smart mobile-commerce to validate proof of concepts and services. These will be connected with commercial 4G telecommunications operator services to promote 4G mobile commerce.

4. Smart cities with 4G broadband 

Integrated application services such as intelligent security, intelligent care, intelligent logistics, intelligent payment systems, intelligent transportation, and intelligent entertainment will be built for five special municipalities and 15 counties, outlying islands and the intelligent aerotropolis.

5. Public service applications 

4G-ready applications targeted at senior citizens and socially vulnerable groups are to be developed. 

6. Emerging broadband wireless technology 

Taiwan will also research the next generation of communication technology and participating in fostering international standards.