Company Information

In January 1997, Far EasTone acquired two wireless (GSM 900 and GSM 1800) service licenses and a year later in January 1998, officially launched these services and made its foray into the telecom industry.

In March 1999, after fourteen months, the total number of Far EasTone’s subscribers crossed the one million mark, smashing the world record for the most number of GSM customers within the shortest amount of time. Without a doubt, Far EasTone has left an indelible mark on the international telecommunications landscape. In December 2001, the company was listed on the Taiwan OTC Stock Exchange (ticker code: 4904) and subsequently in August 2005, gained a seat on the Taiwan Stock Exchange in the electronics sector.

Over the years, Far EasTone has received numerous recognitions for its dedication to providing high quality services. In 2002, Far EasTone’s “solution-Fleet Management” clinched the award for the “Best Corporate Wireless Services for Application” from the 3GSM World Congress. In 2005, Far EasTone was selected as one of “Asia’s 150 Best Companies” in the October issue of Asia Business Week, becoming the only telecommunications provider in Taiwan bestowed with the prestigious title.

Far EasTone practices a two-pronged approach towards its retail shop-floor service – intensive staff training and superior customer service. From 2006 to 2008, Far EasTone received the Qualicert service certification from SGS (Société Générale de Surveillance), scoring a first for being the only telecommunications provider in Asia to receive this certification for three consecutive years. In June 2006, FarEasTone was named by Asian Mobile News Awards as "Mobile Operator of the Year, Taiwan "and "Most Innovative Mobile Service Campaign", making Far EasTone the only telecommunications provider in Taiwan to receive two such awards simultaneously. In addition, Far EasTone was voted “the most trusted brand” in 2008 and 2009 by Readers’ Digests magazine. The Global Views magazine also named Far EasTone the best “Top 50 Corporate Social Responsibility Enterprises in 2008” as well as the reigning telecommunications provider in the same category of its 7th survey of Top 10 Services. Far EasTone is relentless in its commitment to deliver premium service quality and to drive its brand spirit - “Closing the distance”. Corporate citizenship is also an integral part of Far EasTone’s ethos and it had been involved in several rescue and relief missions, lending expertise and resources whenever possible.

In March 2006, Standard & Poor's and Taiwan Ratings upgraded Far EasTone’s long-term corporate credit rating to A- and twAA+, respectively, a clear signal of confidence in Far EasTone’s strong financial performance. In 2007 and 2008, Far EasTone was twice awarded “Best Corporate Governance in Taiwan” by FinanceAsia Magazine. Additionally, in 2009, Far EasTone was crowned “Best Corporate Social Responsibility” and “Best Investor Relationship” in the magazine’s 9th yearly survey of Top Asia Companies. These accolades all point to one thing - that Far EasTone’s dedication to stringent governance and active involvement as a socially responsible corporate citizen are well acknowledged by industry observers and the authorities.