Starlink Slowdown Draws Attention to Sovereign Satellites
Starlink and Starshield services used in Ukraine were suddenly throttled, affecting drone operations and sparking broad attention to sovereign satellites. Chunghwa Telecom proposed the Sea-Land-Starry Sky Plan in 去年, integrating submarine cables, fiber optics, mobile communications, microwave and satellites to build a multi-layer resilient network. While Taiwan stocks fell by 近四千點 since 十月 under pressure from U.S. stocks, Chunghwa Telecom shares reached 一百五十八元 in 上週, hitting a record high.
Proposed LEO Alliance to Raise 三百億
Chien Chih-cheng proposed in an exclusive interview the concept of a LEO satellite constellation alliance, United Asian telecom partners to raise 兩百億到三百億元 to launch 六十 LEO satellites covering Chuantai, and seeking participation by major technology firms. He estimates Taiwan needs 四十八 or 六十四 satellites for all-day LEO communications, at about 三千萬到五千萬元 per satellite; if shared by 五 operators, each would bear about 五十億至六十億元. Currently Chunghwa Telecom works with One Web to provide 七百多個 receivers, and is in contact with Talisat and Amazon Leo. The concept draws on submarine-cable consortium experience, similar to European carriers cooperating to reduce dependence.
Sovereign GEO Satellite to Launch 明年
On high- and medium-orbit deployment, Taiwan's first sovereign geostationary satellite was originally scheduled for launch in 今年第四季, delayed to 明年二月 due to launch scheduling; if it enters orbit smoothly, services are expected in 明年下半年. The existing ST-2 will operate until 二零二八年, to be succeeded by STX. For medium orbit, Chunghwa Telecom was commissioned by SES to build a ground station in southern Taiwan, with Asian signals routed via Taiwan and then submarine cables, while SES provides additional bandwidth. Pegatron Chairman Tung Tzu-hsien also suggested promoting indigenous satellites, estimating about 五十, close to this plan.
Deploying 6G and Drone Communications
Chien Chih-cheng noted that future 6G combines artificial intelligence, comprehensive sensing and non-terrestrial networks, centered on LEO satellites, supporting real-time applications such as unmanned vehicles and drones. In 今年八月 the Legislative Yuan passed the drone regulations, with total procurement of 二千四百億元, and Chunghwa Telecom will invest in communications support, unmanned aircraft traffic management systems and leasing services. On the Legislative Yuan's July amendment to Article 三十六 of the Telecommunications Management Act relaxing satellite installation restrictions, he said it remains for operators to decide, starting with negotiations on maritime satellites and ground receivers. He also stressed that AI agents need numbered management and limits to implement governance.