台灣是ICT大國，但是，要找一個未來通訊產業的發展方向，WiMAX是這些年來唯一的選擇。如果要從發展3G/4G的技術延伸，台灣已經沒有機會了，現階段只有頻寬大、技術較為開放的WiMA X，才是台灣的機會；加上這個產業尚未成熟，也才有台灣參與規格與標準制定的空間。台灣不僅CPE製造能力強，有新的技術出現，也能快速地跟隨，只要台灣願意做，一定能成功。剛好，我這樣的想法與台灣政府政策相符，在行政院的努力下，首先解決了WiMAX頻譜開放的問題，正因為政府做了這個決定，使得台灣在WiMAX發展上佔了先機，提高了台灣產業從終端設備到基地台的製造，或是應用端系統整合的機會。
台灣要蓬勃發展WiMAX還是有些阻力及風險。譬如：雖然台灣在去年已經完成發放WiMAX執照，但是這只是開始的第一步而已，政府發放六張分區執照的用意，就是希望能夠讓業界健康競爭，不會有壟斷電信事業的行為產生，但是若取得執照的業者，透過資本整合成為一家，就違背了當初分區釋照的美意。因此，政府必須密切注意這個可能的發展。
此外，WiMAX FORUM的發展進度也不如預期，WiMAXFORUM是訂定測試認證規範的重要機構，但市佔率高的電信大廠因為發展3G/4G等與WiMAX不同的無線技術規格，並不希望WiMA X有太多的進展。因為，這些以3G/4G為主力發展的廠商認為，一旦WiMAX標準確立後，相關WiMAX設備產品就會蓬勃發展，影響到他們。
台灣過去的ICT產業，都是以為國際電腦大廠代工為主，發展代工產業雖然有較穩定的利潤，但是最後的結果，就是國際大廠持續的運用新技術及創新應用來提高利潤，台灣的代工業者沒有因新技術新應用而獲益。例如，英特爾將Wi-Fi晶片放在主機板上，售價因此提高許多，但是這種改變對台灣廠商沒有任何的幫助，因為台灣的角色只是協助將晶片放在電腦上的代工角色而已。所以，台灣若要走出純粹代工的角色，就一定要走和國際大廠合作開發技術以及資源分享的模式。然而，在這種合作的過程中，更必須講究雙方的實力及互利，才會有談判的空間。不過，這幾年在台灣政府全力推動Ｍ-Taiwan的帶動下，國際大廠確實看到了台灣發展WiMAX的實力及決心，去年底2007 WiMAX Forum Taipei Conference在台北舉辦成功，吸引數百家國際技術、設備廠及台灣多家廠商共同參與，證實了台灣發展WiMAX的能力。
台灣廠商在WiMAX產業的價值鏈已有初步的建立，在最上游的WiMAX晶片部分，聯發科所研發的晶片已有初步成果展現，但是系統上的產品仍有許多進步的空間。不過，整體而言，國內廠商在小型基地台的系統產品已越來越完善。在國內廠商的生產製造方面，若未來真的無法順利發展自有品牌，至少也在這樣的過程中累積了不少的技術能量，依舊可以在系統上為國際大廠做代工，如此代工才更具價值（笑）。
對於WiMAX 的市場展望，我認為目前WiMAX產業前景雖然依舊不明，但是國際大廠已經陸續投入，各國也都有陸續開放執照的計畫，對於市場推動有正面的幫助。此外，儘管WiMAX市場尚未明朗，但是和過去台灣廠商只能被動居於ODM、OEM相較，Ｍ-Taiwan推動的WiMAX計畫確實為台灣的ICT廠商開拓了另一個可能的商機。因為，和國際大廠的競爭是很現實的，唯有產品做的好，消費者才會買單。
您帶領國內研發團隊研發成功開發的無線手持裝置國產MTube，對台灣資通訊產業的意義何在?對國內資通訊產品將帶來怎樣的發展契機?雖然ＭTube不是只能應用在WiMAX環境，也可以應用在Wi-Fi的環境，但是MTube可以視為台灣發展WiMAX未來應用之重要指標。ＭTube的主要目的是希望提供使用者一個易於攜帶又功能強大的隨身裝置，因此如何將x86CPU用在很小的手持裝備上是項挑戰，同時，這也是項創新的想法。事實上，資策會、工研院及國內廠商真的具有很強的研發能量，才能在十個月內作出相當具有水準的無線手持裝置。
過去，國內產業環境，都是以追求利潤穩定的代工產品為主，大環境並不鼓勵創新及研發精神，每當有新的想法出現之時，最常見的就是批評聲浪而不是鼓勵的聲音。所以台灣雖然有優秀的工程師，但是卻常常自我限制，不會去做較有想像力的事情。在產品設計上，也都會先看國外(如：Apple)做出什麼，才隨之跟進。事實上，台灣不乏具有國際級設計水準，可以研發及做出創意產品的人才。
話說回來，資策會及工研院組成的研發團隊雖然有能力製造ＭTu b e的硬體，但是對於ＭTu b e而言，目前最大的挑戰是軟體使用者介面的設計及規劃仍不夠Userfriendly。這也是台灣現階段最缺乏的能力，不過，也不用妄自菲薄，台灣擁有完整的硬體產業供應鏈，掌握了國際資通訊大廠的製造命脈，不管Apple有什麼新的產品創意或想法，都必須來台灣下單製造才能量產，這可以讓台灣擁有同步瞭解全球產業動態，發展自己創意的機會。
日本在2008年3月也完成WiMAX發照之後，預計市場將快速起飛，此外，中國大陸也會是一個新的市場。但是台灣廠商必需要面對的是，能否研發出WiMAX的各種相關應用，這必須要靠業者釋放想像力，不要自我設限，台灣才能在未來市場中佔有一席之地。
Dr. Hsiang-Tsung Kung, Academic from the Academia Sinica and one of the key promoters of the WiMAX industry in Taiwan, saw the imminent need for Taiwan’s ICT industry to rid the OEM and ODM business practices in order to achieve sustainable development. Therefore, he suggested that Taiwan get involved in the development of WiMAX technology and services while it is still at the budding stage worldwide. He took on the task of leading a R&D team pulled together from the Institute for Information Industry, the Industrial Technology Research Institute, and the Academia Sinica to develop a compelling prototype of MTube, the world`s smallest Linuxbased PC. The MTube prototype is one of the first mobile devices demonstrating the use of WiMAX uplink in personal broadband broadcast at 1.5 mega bits per second or higher rates. The MTube project has demonstrated Taiwan’s potential as an ICT systems innovator, beyond being a quick technology follower. The following is the interview with Academician Hsiang-Tsung Kung.
Dr. Kung, being one of the key promoters for the WiMAX industry in Taiwan, would you please share with us your primary concerns at the time you first suggested the government and industry to work on the WiMAX technology and services?
Taiwan is known as an ICT country. However, for the future growth of its telecommunications industry, WiMAX is the best bet for Taiwan in the foreseeable future. In terms of advancing the future 4G technology enhanced from the current 3G solution, there are no remaining opportunities for Taiwan. Therefore, what Taiwan can do at this stage is to focus on WiMAX, which has more bandwidth and is more open to technology development. The industry is not fully matured yet, and thus there is room for Taiwan to participate in technology specifications and standards. Note that Taiwan is highly capable in manufacturing and can quickly catch up when any new technology emerges. It so happened that my idea echoed with the government’s policy. Therefore, with the leadership and support from the Executive Yuan, and the cooperation from NCC, difficult issues concerning WiMAX spectrum release were resolved in a timely manner. It is exactly because of this government policy that Taiwan had a head-start in the development of WiMAX. This situation has also provided Taiwan’s industry with the opportunity of manufacturing not only terminal equipment but also base stations and other system-level equipment.
In your opinion, is Taiwan successful in the development of WiMAX? And, what should be paid special attention to in the future?
For WiMAX-based services to flourish in Taiwan, obstruction and risks remain. For example, although Taiwan completed issuing WiMAX licenses last year, this was only the first step. The purpose for the government to issue the six regional licenses last year was to encouragevirtuous competition in the industry and avoid any monopoly in telecommunications. However, if those having acquired the licenses ventured to become one business, it would violate the original intention in issuing multiple licenses. Therefore, the government must pay close attention to any possible development in this aspect.
In addition, politics in the WiMAX Forum is complicated. The WiMAX Forum is an important institute for tests and certification. However, existing telecommunication giants with large market shares, in light of the different wireless technology and specifications in 3G/4G that they have developed, do not necessarily want WiMAX to advance too quickly. Taiwan will need to watch earnestly worldwide activities in WiMAX and possibly assert influence.
How will Taiwa ncooperate with international giant manufacturers to expedite development of the WiMAX industry?
Taiwan`s ICT industry has traditionally focused on OEM and ODM businesses from international computer giants. Although the businesses brought relatively steady profits, it would eventually need to rely on new technology and innovations from the international giants to enhance profit margins. In this practice, Taiwanese OEM and ODM businesses often did not benefit as a result of new technologies and new applications. For example, a few years ago, when computer motherboards started to embed Wi-Fi chips, their selling price was increased. This increase of price did not benefit Taiwanese manufacturers because what they needed to do was simple assistance in placing the chips on the motherboard. Of course, Taiwanese manufacturers hope that this will not repeat for future MiMAX-embedded motherboards.
Therefore, for Taiwan to move on from the“pure-play” OEM/ODM business, it has to have deep collaboration with international giants in developing new technologies and sharing resources. However, in the process of such collaboration, it is especially important to emphasize the competence and interest of both parties so that progress can be made in the negotiation. Over the past couple of years, with full support from the government and industry in promoting M-Taiwan, international giants saw the competence and determination of Taiwan in the development of WiMAX. The 2007 WiMAX Forum Member Conference held at the end of last year in Taipei was very successful. It attracted hundreds of international technology and equipment manufacturers and validated the fact that Taiwan is capable in developing WiMAX even in its early technology stage.
One priority for Taiwan in the development of WiMAX is to integrate the upper-middlelower stream industrial value chain. In your opinion, where is Taiwan in the industrial integration?
A preliminary industrial value chain among Taiwanese manufacturers in the WiMAX industry has been established. In the upper-stream, WiMAX chips developed by companies such as the MediaTek Inc. are taking shape. But large system products still require substantial improvements. Nonetheless, generally speaking, system products for small base stations by domestic manufacturers are perfecting. For production and manufacturing by domestic companies, even if self brands cannot be developed successfully in the near future, they will have at least accumulated a lot of technological power in the process and they can be engaged in system OEM/ODEM for international giants. This kind of OEM/ODM for systems rather than CPEs will carry more value. (Chuckle) In terms of market prospects for WiMAX, I think although the future is not clear yet for the WiMAX industry, many international manufacturers have followed each other and entered this industry. There are also licensing plans in many countries. I believe all of these are positive for the market. In addition, despite of the unclear market positioning for WiMAX, compared to the passive ODM/OEM role Taiwanese manufacturers played in the past, the WiMAX project proactively promoted in M-Taiwan has undeniably created another possible business opportunity for Taiwan’s ICT manufacturers. Competition with international giants is brutal but with good quality products, consumers will never turn away from you. You have led the domestic R&D team in successfully developing wireless hand-held local made MTube.
What do you think does the product mean to Taiwan’s information and communication industry? What kind of development opportunities it will bring for our domestic information and communication products?
Although MTube can be used not only in WiMAX but also in Wi-Fi, it can be seen as an important index for future WiMAX application in Taiwan. The primary purpose of MTube was to provide users with a portable device with great features that users can carry around. Therefore, it was a challenge as well as an innovative idea to fit a high-performance x86 CPU into a very small hand-held device. Engineers in the Institute for Information Industry, the Industrial Technology Research Institute and our domestic manufacturer partners were very competent in prototyping this wireless handheld device within 10 months.
In the past domestic industries emphasized OEM/ODM products. Innovation, especially at the system and software level, was not encouraged. Every time there were new ideas, people criticized. No one welcomed new product ideas. Therefore, talented engineers in Taiwan were restricted and their imagination was held back. In terms of product design, they looked at what were already available internationally with Apple) first before they decided to follow suit. People often underestimated Taiwan`s international design capability. Via the MTube project, I hope to demonstrate that Taiwan in fact has R&D talent for innovative system products.
On the other hand, although the R&D team of was able to prototype the MTube system, the biggest challenge facing MTube is how to design and develop a software interface that is more user friendly than it is now. This is the capability that Taiwan lacks and needs to develop urgently. Taiwan can try to learn the methodologies and skills from international giants which place orders with Taiwan for volume production of many of their innovative system products.
What do you think is the future for the WiMAX industry?
Once Japan also completes WiMAX licensing in March 2008, it is expected that the market will take off quickly. In addition, Mainland China will be another possible new market. What Taiwanese manufacturers will have to deal with in the future, though, is whether they are capable of research and developing a variety of applications and services for WiMAX. This requires a lot of imagination on the part of the manufacturers and service providers. Do not set limits and Taiwan will take up a pretty share on the market in the future.
