NCC approves mergers of telecom firmsMIXED REACTIONS: Taiwan Mobile complained about the timeline for integration with Taiwan Star, while Far EasTone thanked the NCC for giving it the green lightBy Shelley Shan / Staff reporterThe National Communications Commission (NCC) yesterday approved mergers between Taiwan Mobile and Taiwan Star, and between Far EasTone Telecommunications and Asia Pacific Telecom (APT) after a nearly one-year review, provided Taiwan Mobile and Far EasTone dispose of excess bandwidth acquired through the mergers by the end of June next year. Following its merger with Taiwan Star, Taiwan Mobile would own 60 megahertz (MHz) of bandwidth at frequency bands below 1 gigahertz (GHz), which exceeds one-third — or 50MHz — of the total auctioned spectrum of 150MHz. Taiwan Mobile and Far EasTone have agreed to the other conditions set by the commission for the mergers, NCC Deputy Chairman Wong Po-tsung (翁柏宗) said. Taiwan Mobile said that the commission’s ruling is “regrettable,” as it cannot possibly integrate networks with Taiwan Star in 18 months. “We respect the NCC’s ruling, and will submit an application for a merger with the Fair Trade Commission,” Far EasTone said.