(Adnkronos) – Taiwan opens its doors to Starlink to try to ensure communication security in case of war with China. The latest move is that of the Taiwanese Parliament, which today approved legislative amendments that pave the way for the operation of Starlink’s satellite internet service on the island. And it did so in a rare moment of unity in a deeply divided parliament, with deputies from President Lai Ching-te’s Democratic Progressive Party joining the opposition in approving amendments that could open the way for companies like Starlink. Until today, Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory and has threatened to conquer by force, does not possess satellites in Earth orbit and relies on submarine cables for telecommunications and to connect to the rest of the world.
Taiwanese company Chunghwa Telecom has entered into agreements with several foreign satellite companies to provide backup telecommunication services in case of war or natural disasters, but according to Parliament, this is not enough. Until now, Starlink had not entered the Taiwanese market because it was deterred by the requirements of the Telecommunications Management Act, which requires operators to have a Taiwanese chairman and limits foreign ownership to 49%.
Today’s vote in the Taipei Parliament “is a crucial step for Taiwan, which is moving towards a new era of international satellite communications and building a resilient digital nation,” said Kuomintang lawmaker Huang Chien-hao. The amendments will be sent to Lai for signature and entry into force. Lai’s office stated that the changes “facilitate the future development of more diversified satellite communication services and strengthen communication resilience.”
Starlink, owned by US billionaire Elon Musk, dominates the global satellite communications sector with thousands of satellites in orbit and operations in dozens of countries. Taiwanese authorities have already seen the consequences of disconnected submarine cables. In February 2023, two telecommunication lines serving the Matsu archipelago, off Taiwan, were severed, disrupting communications for weeks. Taiwan has taken inspiration from Ukraine, where Starlink has proven to be a vital communication tool for Kyiv’s armed forces engaged against Russian troops.
“This type of satellite communication can significantly improve communication security and resilience,” said DPP lawmaker Lin Chun-Hsien. But in Taiwan, there are also those who are wary of excessive reliance on Starlink, after Musk admitted to having blocked a Ukrainian attack against Russian warships by disabling internet access. Furthermore, Musk’s business ties with Beijing and his statements that Taiwan should become part of China have sparked the island’s anger.
In May, Digital Affairs Minister Lin Yi-jing stated on Facebook that Starlink had recently indicated Taiwan as “a high-priority market,” citing its “small size and high population density” and 4G and 5G coverage reaching almost 100% of the population. “This could reflect Starlink’s true position or it could simply be a negotiating tactic,” Lin said.
