FIGHTING REPLACEMENT CYCLES: The global market for smart speakers is expected to grow 63 percent year-on-year to US$7 billion this year, a Deloitte forecast showed

Taipei Times
Date: Jan 15, 2019
By: Lisa Wang  /  Staff reporter

Far EasTone Telecommunications Co (FET, 遠傳電信) yesterday launched wireless smart speakers, the latest of many new gadgets other than mobile phones that the telecom is using to boost subscriptions to mobile services as mobile phone replacement cycles lengthen.

As part of its strategic shift, the telecom is looking to devices that incorporate the Internet of Things (IoT), big data and artificial intelligence (AI) as new revenue drivers, because revenue from wireless connectivity is falling due to cutthroat competition.

The smart speakers are the first consumer IoT device that the telecom has unveiled toward achieving that goal, the company said.

Along with smart speakers launched earlier last year, Far EasTone this year aims to triple the sale of smart home gadgets, consumer business unit vice president Belinda Chen (陳萍坽) told reporters yesterday.    [FULL  STORY]