The Koo's Group of Taiwan is to invest NT$20 billion (about HK$5 billion) upgrading the group's cable television networks, according to company director Chester Koo.
The sum will be used to upgrade the existing cable network infrastructure of Koo's Cable, which has about 1.5 million subscribers in Taiwan.
By the end of this year, most of Koo's Cable's networks in Taiwan would have broadband connectivity ability and two-way transmission capability, Mr Koo said.
Mr Koo said Koo's Cable would have a better competitive advantage to compete with the three new telecom network operators after the government fully deregulated its telecommunication industry by the middle of next year, as its cable TV business could continue to generate cash flow to finance its upgrade plan, while its competitors were still under construction.
'You have to put lots of money just for the initial investment on the fixed-line networks,' he said.
The new telecom operators - Eastern TV, Pacific Network and New Century - would each have to invest about NT$100 billion to build up the networks, he said.