Chunghwa Telecom, Ericsson to hold joint LTE trial

TAIPEI Dec 17 (Reuters) - Taiwan's Chunghwa Telecom (2412.TW) and Ericsson (ERICb.ST) have signed an agreement to jointly set up a trial network using new-generation LTE wireless technology.

Chunghwa Telecommunication Laboratories under Chunghwa Telecom (CHT.N) said in a statement on Thursday that it would start testing the network in northern Taiwan and initial results would be released mid-2010. No financial terms were given.

China's Huawei technologies [HWT.UL], meanwhile, is building 25 networks worldwide based on Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, expanding in an area that may help propel it past Ericsson to become the world's top telecommunications equipment maker. [ID:nLH614453]

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As part of Chunghwa Telecom's efforts to expand overseas, the island's top telecommunications operator has also announced a plan to set up a 30 million yuan ($4.4 million) call-center venture with an investment firm in Xiamen, China.

Chunghwa Telecom shares ended down 0.17 percent on Thursday, in line with the main TAIEX's .TWII 0.12 percent decline. (US$1=T$32.3=6.8 yuan) (Reporting by Baker Li; Editing by Chris Lewis)