Taiwan’s top three mobile players added almost 720,000 4G connections in Q3. Within four months of the launch, 4G subscribers now account for 2.5 to 4 per cent of each operator’s total mobile connection base.

According to figures from GSMA Intelligence, Far EasTone has a slight lead, with almost 300,000 4G connections, which account for 4 per cent of its user base. Taiwan Mobile has 278,000 4G subs (3.7 per cent of its connections) while the market leader, Chunghwa Telecom with a 33 per cent overall mobile market share, has 266,000 4G connections (2.5 per cent of its users).

Far EasTone and Taiwan Mobile are neck-and-neck, each with a 23 per cent total market share.

The average bill for Far EasTone’s 4G customers is six per cent higher than for 3G users, the Taipei Times reported.

All three are facing pressure from Taiwan Star, which in August introduced TWD599 ($20) unlimited 4G plans (with a two-year contract), roughly half the price of the other 4G operators.

In other news, Chunghwa announced that, together with MasterCard, it will introduce NFC payment services on 16 October.

Chunghwa customers will need to apply for a SWP-SIM card and download a MasterCard PayPass credit card issued by one of four local banks and EastCard.