Taiwan Today

Though the Internet penetration rate in Taiwan is very high, most users are dissatisfied with the cost and the quality, a Consumers’ Foundation survey shows. National Communications Commission statistics show that by April of this year, there were more than 4.13 million Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line accounts in Taiwan. The Consumers’ Foundation survey found that 98 percent of respondents feel that charges for broadband access are too high and the quality leaves much to be desired. The foundation conducted its online survey in May and June, investigating the degree of satisfaction with broadband quality, speed of access and fees. Hsieh Tien-jen, foundation chairman, said July 15 the survey results show that 40 percent of users spend NT$800 to NT$1,000 (US$24 to US$30) monthly for Internet access. Some 24 percent spend over NT$1,000. “The majority of consumers feel that charges are too high, affecting their daily expenses,” Hsieh said. The Internet penetration rate is high, and so is the number of “netizens.” Hsieh pointed out over 25 percent of users are online more than 10 hours a day, but Internet connections are not sufficiently stable. “In the last year 80 percent of consumers have had their Internet connections cut off, even up to 15 hours at a stretch.” The foundation said that a broadband provider’s contention ratio is the key to quality service. From the end user to the control room the network is shared, so the larger the contention ratio, the more sharing there is among users, leading to network jams. The speeds for downloading and uploading announced by providers are the highest possible speeds under optimal conditions, the foundation pointed out. If the contention ratio is 4-to-1, when four users are online at the same time, the speed is reduced to one fourth. The foundation called on the NCC to require providers to make their contention ratios public, to protect consumers’ rights. (THN)