Chunghwa Telecom will collaborate with British satellite service provider OneWeb, and plans to bring low-orbit satellite connectivity services to the Taiwanese market as an agent. Satellite networks are not restricted by factors such as terrain, and can be used to respond to disaster impacts, emergencies, or meet the needs of the Internet of Things and next-generation network connections.
Chunghwa Telecom has already submitted an application to the Ministry of Digital Development for a low-orbit satellite license and the associated frequencies, aiming to launch its services as early as 2024. Chunghwa Telecom may acquire OneWeb's distribution rights in Taiwan through a multi-billion-dollar investment, primarily targeting B2B commercial applications. However, a launch date has not yet been determined.
The Ministry of Digital Development signed a subsidy agreement with the Telecommunications Technology Center (TCC) in July of this year, with an estimated subsidy of nearly NT$7 million. The TCC plans to use OneWeb's low-orbit satellite service, which is expected to be available on Taiwan's main island by the end of this year, and the medium-orbit satellite connection service provided by Luxembourg's SES SA.
As for Chunghwa Telecom, it has reached an agreement with the Telecommunications Technology Center Foundation, and plans to deploy 2024 low-orbit satellite terminal equipment sites and 700 base station satellite backhaul links in Taiwan by the end of 70, as well as three overseas hotspot sites.
Sources indicate that in addition to cooperating with OneWeb, Chunghwa Telecom is also collaborating with companies such as Kuiper, a low-orbit satellite internet service promoted by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, but there is no further news on the results.
As for SpaceX's low-orbit satellite internet service, which was previously reported to be interested in entering the Taiwanese market,StarlinkCurrently, the Ministry of Digital Economy's review requirements for low-orbit satellite applications may require that they must be in the form of a telecommunications business, that the chairman must be a citizen of the Republic of China, that direct foreign shareholdings cannot exceed 49%, and that indirect shareholdings cannot exceed 60%, and that Chinese investors are not allowed to participate in the investment. In addition, the service agency itself must also comply with national security considerations. Therefore, the possibility of entering the Taiwan market is currently low.
