The Ting Hsin International Group confirmed that several potential buyers have approached regarding their interests of acquiring the Taiwan Star Telecom Co, amid growing speculation that the telecommunications company is the food conglomerate’s next target in its efforts to exit non-core businesses in Taiwan.

Ting Hsin’s confirmation was related to a report from the Chinese-language Economic Daily News on Jan. 26, saying that the group is planning to sell its 52% stake in Taiwan Star, and is expected to cut a deal by the end of this quarter or early next quarter.

“More than one company that has expressed an interest in buying the group’s share of Taiwan Star, but we have yet made any decision as of now,” said Ted Chia (賈先德), spokesman for Ting Hsin.

Without identifying those potential buyers, Chia, meanwhile, said that recent newspaper coverage on the issue could heat up the competition between potential buyers.

The group’s next step, however, has been highlighted since the group pledged to sell its non-core local businesses after being embroiled in a spate of food scares last year.

Taiwan Star currently has 160,000 4G subscribers and 1.44 million 3G users after merging with Vibo Telecom in 2013.

Economic Daily News reported that Taiwan Star’s major shareholders, including Cathay Financial Holding (TPE: 2882), CTBC Financial Holding (TPE: 2891) and Cheng Uei Precision Industry Co (TPE: 2392), are trying to increase their holdings to safeguard the telecom operator’s position. In the meantime, Chunghwa Telecom Co (TPE: 2412), which is the nation’s biggest telecommunications operator, and its competitor Far EasTone Telecommunications Co (TPE: 4904) are interested in acquiring Taiwan Star to expand their 4G market.

When approached, Chunghwa said it was “market speculation” while Far EasTone denied that the company is interested in buying any stake in Taiwan Star.

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Omate introduces its smartwatch for children

IBiz Technology introduced Omate KidFit, a smartwatchfor children, to Taiwan on Dec. 19.

“Omate KidFit is a smartwatch that was designed exclusively for children between the age of four and 10,” said Huang Hsin-hsiang (黃信祥), marketing director for iBiz.

Quoting the company’s research, Huang said that 85% of today’s parents would not allow their children who are younger than 11 to possess their own smartphones, although they have the needs for a device which allow them to stay in contact with their children.

“Omate KidFit is the resolution,” he said.

Huang said that the smartwatch allows parents to link with their smartphones via an app, that will allow two-way conversations. Also, the smartwatch has functions of GPS and SOS bottom that allows the user to dial emergency number.

The smartwatch is now available in Taiwan and will be sold at NT$2,990 (US$99) each.

Far EasTone to double 4G service subscribers

Far EasTone Telecommunications (TPE: 4904), Taiwan’s third-largest telecommunications carrier, said on Dec. 18 that the company is working hard in return of a hope to double the amount of 4G service subscribers next year.

Far EasTone Vice President Maxwell Cheng (鄭智衡) said that it expected the total amount of its 4G subscribers to reach two million by the end of next year, up from one million at the end of this year.

International Data Corp’s latest research said that total 4G subscribers in Taiwan are likely to reach between 8.4 million and 10 million by the end of next year.

“By the end of this year, total 4G subscribers would be 3.3 million to 3.5 million, or even 3.8 million, as there are four telecoms offering the service,” Cheng said.

He said that Far EasTone is planning to build more 4G stations on the 1,800MHz frequency band until there are twice as many stations than use the 700MHz frequency band.

Approximately 56% of the public believe they will receive a year-end bonus of one to three months: research

Cathay Financial Holding Co’s (TPE: 2882) made public the result of its latest research on Dec. 19 and said that 32% of the public believed that their salaries will be raised next year, while another 56% of them believed that they will receive a year-end bonus of one to three months of their salaries before the Lunar New Year.

Only 25.4% of the public would believe they would receive fatter paychecks for this year, when the same research was conducted a year ago, Cathay said. In addition, 62.8% of the public believed that their year-end bonus will be at least more than a month of their salaries.

However, about 51.3% of the public believed that they will be receiving the same amount of monthly paycheck next year, Cathay said.

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