Chunghwa Telecom

Chunghwa Telecom is Taiwan's largest integrated telecommunications service provider and one of the country's most important communications infrastructure companies. Its principal activities span fixed-line voice services, mobile communications, broadband internet access, data communications, international connectivity, enterprise networking, information and communications technology, cloud services, and related digital products. The company serves households, businesses, public-sector organizations, and international customers requiring connectivity into or through Taiwan. The company was established in 1996 during Taiwan's transition from a state-operated telecommunications monopoly toward a more competitive market. Before corporatization, telecommunications operations had been managed for more than a century as part of the Directorate General of Telecommunications, a government organization under the Ministry of Transportation and Communications. The creation of Chunghwa Telecom separated commercial telecommunications operations from direct government administration and provided a corporate vehicle for the gradual liberalization of the industry. Chunghwa Telecom initially inherited a broad operating structure covering northern, central, and southern Taiwan telecommunications operations, long-distance and mobile communications, international telecommunications, data communications, research, and training. This gave it an unusually comprehensive network and customer base. Its historical fixed-line footprint and infrastructure also provided a foundation for later broadband, mobile, enterprise, and digital-service expansion. The company became publicly traded on the Taiwan Stock Exchange in 2000 under ticker 2412. Its American depositary shares were listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2003 under the symbol CHT. The Taiwanese government's ownership fell below 50 percent in 2005, marking the formal transition to a privatized company while the state remained a significant shareholder. Chunghwa Telecom has continued to operate as a publicly listed company with a strong domestic infrastructure position and substantial government-related importance. Its consumer portfolio includes traditional and next-generation fixed communications, mobile voice and data services, broadband internet, television and digital content offerings, and associated devices and customer services. HiNet is the company's best-known broadband and internet-service brand, while emome has been associated with its mobile services. For business customers, the company provides dedicated connectivity, data communications, cloud computing, systems integration, cybersecurity, hosting, international communications, and other ICT services. Subsidiaries and affiliated operations extend the group's activities into telecommunications distribution, systems integration, investments, international services, digital media, security, and technology-related businesses. Technology transitions have been central to the company's development. Chunghwa Telecom received a second-generation mobile license in 1997, became Taiwan's first operator to launch commercial 4G LTE service in 2014, and launched Taiwan's first 5G New Radio network in 2020. Its 5G proposition has included enhanced mobile connectivity and digital services such as cloud gaming developed with external technology partners. The company has also participated in spectrum acquisitions and network modernization as Taiwan's mobile market has shifted from voice toward high-capacity data, cloud, and digital ecosystems. Chunghwa Telecom's positioning combines national-scale infrastructure, broad service coverage, network reliability, and a full-service portfolio. It competes in a liberalized market with other Taiwanese operators while retaining advantages associated with its historical fixed network, scale, enterprise relationships, and infrastructure investment. In addition to commercial performance, the company has e…

Chunghwa Telecom emerged from Taiwan's government telecommunications administration during a period of institutional and market reform. For more than a century before the company's creation, the Directorate General of Telecommunications operated the country's telecommunications services. That arrangement supported nationwide network development but also represented a state monopoly. Beginning in the late 1980s, Taiwan's Ministry of Transportation and Communications promoted telecommunications liberalization, with the objectives of opening the sector to private operators, separating government administration from commercial operations, and improving service quality through competition. Chunghwa Telecom was founded on June 15, 1996 as part of this corporatization and privatization process. Following an amendment to the Telecommunications Act, the Chunghwa Telecom Ordinance took effect on July 1, 1996. The new company was established with capital of NT$96.477 billion and inherited a broad operating structure. Its units covered northern, central, and southern Taiwan telecommunications operations, long-distance and mobile communications, international telecommunications, data communications, research, and professional training. This structure allowed the company to continue operating the country's extensive fixed network while developing new services in a progressively competitive environment. In 1997, Chunghwa Telecom received a license for second-generation mobile communications using GSM frequencies in the 900 MHz and 1800 MHz bands. Mobile communications subsequently became a major growth area alongside fixed voice and broadband. The company was listed on the Taiwan Stock Exchange in October 2000 under number 2412. In July 2003, its American depositary shares began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol CHT. The Taiwanese government's stake was reduced to below 50 percent in August 2005, completing the company's transition to a privatized corporate structure, although the state remained an important shareholder. The company expanded its commercial and distribution capabilities during the 2000s. In 2007, it acquired Senao International, which became an exclusive sales agent for Chunghwa Telecom mobile phones. The same year, Chunghwa Telecom created an enterprise-customer division within its southern telecommunications organization, reflecting the increasing importance of corporate connectivity and information technology services. The group also developed and maintained subsidiaries and affiliated companies involved in systems integration, international operations, investment, digital media, security, distribution, and related technology activities. Network evolution accelerated in the 2010s. In October 2013, Chunghwa Telecom acquired spectrum in an auction for approximately NT$39.075 billion, including 900 MHz and 1800 MHz LTE-related bands. In May 2014, it announced the launch of commercial 4G LTE service, becoming Taiwan's first operator to offer LTE. The move shifted the company's mobile proposition toward high-speed data and helped establish the network platform for later digital services. On June 30, 2020, Chunghwa Telecom launched Taiwan's first 5G NR network. The company presented 5G as more than a faster mobile-access layer, linking it with services such as cloud gaming developed with Gamestream and Intel. The 5G era also strengthened the company's focus on enterprise connectivity, cloud computing, data services, cybersecurity, and other ICT offerings. Chunghwa Telecom has continued to operate as a major publicly listed Taiwanese infrastructure provider. Its sustainability profile received recognition through selection for the 2022 Dow Jones Sustainability Indices World and Emerging Markets indexes and a top-five-percent telecommunications-group result in the 2023 S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook. In May 2023, president Shui-Yi Kuo was appointed chairman, succeeding Chi-Mau Sheih. In May 2025, Google announced that future Chrome versions would no longer trust public-key certificates issued by Chunghwa Telecom, citing compliance shortcomings and responses to security incident reports. The event became a significant reputational and cybersecurity issue for the company and demonstrated the importance of certificate-authority governance to modern telecommunications operators.

1. 2025Google announces certificate-trust action

   Google announced that future Chrome versions would no longer trust public-key certificates issued by Chunghwa Telecom.

   Source
2. 2023Chairman succession

   Shui-Yi Kuo became chairman, succeeding Chi-Mau Sheih.

   Source
3. 2022Dow Jones Sustainability Index recognition

   The company was selected for the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices World and Emerging Markets indexes.

   Source
4. 20205G NR network launch

   Chunghwa Telecom launched Taiwan's first 5G New Radio network.

   Source
5. 2014Commercial 4G LTE launch

   Chunghwa Telecom launched Taiwan's first 4G LTE service.

   Source
6. 2013LTE spectrum acquisition

   The company acquired 900 MHz and 1800 MHz spectrum at auction for approximately NT$39.075 billion.

   Source
7. 2007Senao International acquisition

   Chunghwa Telecom acquired Senao International, which became an exclusive sales agent for its mobile phones.

   Source
8. 2005Government ownership falls below 50 percent

   The Taiwanese government's ownership was reduced below 50 percent, completing the company's formal privatization.

   Source
9. 2003New York Stock Exchange ADS listing

   The company's American depositary shares began trading on the NYSE under symbol CHT.

   Source
10. 2000Taiwan Stock Exchange listing

    Common shares began trading on the Taiwan Stock Exchange under number 2412.

    Source
11. 1997Second-generation mobile license awarded

    Chunghwa Telecom received authorization to operate a GSM 900 MHz and 1800 MHz second-generation mobile network.

    Source
12. 1996Chunghwa Telecom is established

    The company was founded during Taiwan's telecommunications corporatization and liberalization program, succeeding the commercial telecommunications functions of the Directorate General of Telecommunications.

    Source

A nationwide, full-service telecommunications and ICT provider emphasizing network scale, reliability, coverage, technology leadership, and integrated consumer and enterprise services.

• HiNetBroadband and internet services

  HiNet is Chunghwa Telecom's principal consumer-facing internet and broadband service brand. It represents the company's fixed-network connectivity offering and is associated with broadband access, internet services, and related digital products. HiNet benefits from Chunghwa Telecom's nationwide fixed infrastructure and forms a central part of the company's household communications portfolio.

• emomeMobile communications

  emome is associated with Chunghwa Telecom's mobile service portfolio. The offering covers mobile communications and data services delivered through the company's successive GSM, LTE, and 5G network generations. It has served as a consumer-facing identity for mobile connectivity, plans, and related digital services.

• 4G LTE servicesMobile network2014

  Chunghwa Telecom's 4G LTE service began commercial operation in May 2014 after the company acquired relevant 900 MHz and 1800 MHz spectrum. The launch made it Taiwan's first telecommunications operator to provide LTE service and established a high-capacity mobile-data platform for smartphones, broadband substitution, and digital applications.

• 5G NR servicesMobile network2020

  The company's 5G New Radio network launched on June 30, 2020, making Chunghwa Telecom the first Taiwanese operator to launch a 5G NR network. The service supports higher-capacity mobile connectivity and has been presented alongside digital offerings such as cloud gaming and enterprise applications.

• Enterprise cloud and ICT servicesEnterprise technology services

  Chunghwa Telecom provides business and institutional customers with connectivity, data communications, cloud computing, systems integration, cybersecurity, hosting, and international communications. These services extend the company beyond consumer access into managed technology infrastructure and digital transformation support.

• 20205G service launch and cloud-gaming package

  Taiwan

  At the launch of its 5G network, Chunghwa Telecom promoted new-generation mobile connectivity together with cloud gaming developed in cooperation with Gamestream and Intel.

  Outcome. The launch established Chunghwa Telecom as Taiwan's first 5G NR operator and expanded its 5G proposition beyond connectivity.

  Source

• 2023Chairman successionOther

  Chunghwa Telecom was undergoing a leadership transition after operating as a major listed telecommunications infrastructure company.

  What changed. The company appointed president Shui-Yi Kuo as chairman, succeeding Chi-Mau Sheih.

  Aftermath. Kuo became the company's chairman and remained identified in the reference material as the current chairman.

  Source
• 2020Launch of 5G NR networkProduct launch

  Mobile customers and enterprise users were increasingly seeking greater capacity, lower latency, and services built on high-speed wireless networks.

  What changed. Chunghwa Telecom launched Taiwan's first 5G New Radio network on June 30 and promoted related digital services including cloud gaming.

  Aftermath. The company strengthened its position as an early 5G operator and expanded its mobile proposition toward digital applications.

  Source
• 2014Launch of commercial 4G LTEProduct launch

  The company had acquired LTE-related spectrum and was preparing to move its mobile network from earlier generations toward higher-speed data service.

  What changed. Chunghwa Telecom launched commercial 4G LTE service on May 30.

  Aftermath. It became Taiwan's first telecommunications operator to offer LTE service.

  Source
• 2013Acquisition of LTE spectrumGeneration change

  Mobile communications were shifting toward high-speed data and fourth-generation network technology.

  What changed. Chunghwa Telecom acquired 900 MHz and 1800 MHz spectrum in an auction.

  Aftermath. The spectrum enabled the company's subsequent commercial 4G LTE launch in Taiwan.

  Spectrum acquisition price. NT$39.075 billion (October 2013)

  Source
• 2005Formal privatizationStrategy

  The government continued reducing its ownership as Taiwan's telecommunications market became more open to private operators.

  What changed. Government ownership was reduced below 50 percent.

  Aftermath. Chunghwa Telecom continued as a listed company with a private-sector corporate structure and the state as an important shareholder.

  Source
• 1996Corporatization during telecommunications liberalizationStrategy

  Taiwan sought to separate government administration from commercial telecommunications operations and gradually open the sector to private competition.

  What changed. The government established Chunghwa Telecom as a corporation succeeding the telecommunications business functions of the Directorate General of Telecommunications.

  Aftermath. The company became the principal incumbent operator in Taiwan while the broader market moved toward competition and privatization.

  Source

• 2025Google certificate-trust actionControversy

  Google announced that future versions of Chrome would no longer trust public-key certificates issued by Chunghwa Telecom, citing failures to satisfy compliance standards and appropriately address security incident reports. The announcement raised concerns about certificate-authority governance, security processes, and the reliability obligations of a major telecommunications infrastructure provider.

  Source

• 2023Chunghwa Telecom receives top S&P Global ESG recognition

  The company was recognized among the top five percent of telecommunications companies in the S&P Global Sustainability Yearbook 2023.

  Other
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• 2023Shui-Yi Kuo appointed chairman

  Chunghwa Telecom announced that president Shui-Yi Kuo would become chairman, succeeding Chi-Mau Sheih.

  Leadership change
  Source
• 2022Chunghwa Telecom selected for Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes

  The company was selected for both the World and Emerging Markets editions of the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices.

  Other
  Source
• 2020Chunghwa Telecom launches Taiwan's first 5G NR network

  Chunghwa Telecom launched a 5G New Radio network in Taiwan and associated the new package with digital services including cloud gaming.

  Product launchProduct generation
  Source
• 2014Chunghwa Telecom launches Taiwan's first 4G LTE service

  The company announced the start of commercial LTE services, becoming the first telecommunications operator in Taiwan to provide 4G LTE service.

  Product launchProduct generation
  Source

1. Chunghwa Telecom
2. Chunghwa Telecom official website