臺灣電信公司在5G頻譜拍賣的發展策略 – 以亞太電信為例

Abstract

行動通訊是社會進步的重要驅動力，而擁有足夠寬的無線網路頻譜則是電信公司的重要任務。在臺灣5G頻譜的第一次拍賣中，個案公司亞太電信做出了放棄競標3.5GHz頻段之決策。針對此一令人驚訝的策略行動，本研究針對個案公司目前的服務內容與所屬集團資源進行探討，以便我們能瞭解當前4G電信市場的激烈競爭如何影響個案公司的5G競標策略。我們列舉了問題並尋找可能的原因。 我們首先檢視了國外5G頻譜拍賣與分配的規則與結果以及個案公司在國內的競標環境。透過比較國內外頻譜拍賣或分配的差異以及國內外政府為公網與企業專網擬定之規範的差異，我們探討共建共享共網對電信業者的影響。由於個案公司正面對4G門號用戶數成長受限、4G平均使用者收益不斷下降，面對接下來的5G建設與性能演進，經營5G事業所需的基礎建設需要鉅額的資本投入與營運成本。這可能是個案公司放棄5G頻譜競標的原因之一。 綜合以上，本論文嘗試回答個案公司放棄第一波頻譜拍賣中熱門的3.5GHz 是否正確、個案公司可如何降低此決策帶來的衝擊，以及個案公司應如何與集團協同作用，在5G競賽中產生一加一大於二的功效，維持集團與企業最佳決策及商業競爭力。

While mobile communication is an important driving force in social advancement, having wide enough wireless network bands is critical for any telecom company. This study is conducted after a major telecom companies in Taiwan, APTG, decided to give up bidding for the 3.5GHz band in the first 5G spectrum auction in Taiwan. To understand such an interesting action, we investigate the services provided by APTG and the resources held by the company group. In particular, we study how APTG’s position in the highly competitive 4G market affects its strategy in the 5G spectrum auction. We point out problems and try to propose some possible causes. We start by looking at 5G spectrum auctions/distributions in foreign countries and some the environment in which APTG is in. By contrasting the differences in the spectrum auction/distribution rules and the policies regarding public and private network among Taiwan and foreign countries, we discuss the impact of constructing a shared network to telecom companies in Taiwan. We believe that, as APTG is facing a limited growth of 4G subscribers and a reduction of ARPU in 4G, high capital expenses and operating expenses will be needed for APTG to build its 5G infrastructure. This is one of the major reasons for APTG to quit from the auction. With the above ideas in mind, this study tries to answer whether APTG made a right decision to give up the 3.5GHz band, how APTG may minimize the negative impact of the decision, and how APTG should cooperate with its company group to make the optimal decision and keep its strength.