Starlink yet to resume Taiwan talks: officials

• By Shelley Shan / Staff reporter

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Starlink has yet to resume talks with the National Communications Commission (NCC) about plans to launch its satellite communications services in Taiwan, despite the legislature passing amendments earlier this year to facilitate the company’s entry into the market, officials told lawmakers on Monday.

When the amendments to the Telecommunications Management Act (電信管理法) go into effect, they would ease requirements for the chairpersons of eligible operators of satellite communications networks and restrictions on foreign ownership.

During a meeting of the Legislative Yuan’s Transportation Committee, Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) Legislator Chiu Jo-hua (邱若華) asked the NCC and the Ministry of Digital Affairs about the plans of operators to establish a presence in Taiwan and potential use of the technology in remote areas.

The silhouette of SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is pictured over the Starlink logo in an illustration photograph taken on June 11.

Photo: Reuters

Commission Secretary-General Wen Chun-yu (溫俊瑜) said that Starlink had yet to contact the agency about its plans to enter the Taiwanese market since the amendments were passed.

The NCC was discussing implementation measures with other government agencies, as the amendments involve procedures for foreign investment and business registration under the Ministry of Economic Affairs.

Regulations and administrative rules are still being drafted, he said.

Chunghwa Telecom and Far EasTone Telecommunications have been developing satellite communications services as well, Wen added.

Minister of Digital Affairs Lin Yi-jing (林宜敬) said that Starlink had initially considered Taiwan a market with limited commercial potential because 4G and 5G coverage rates were already high.

The company had been slow to respond to the ministry’s e-mails, sometimes failing to reply at all, he said.

Amazon’s low Earth satellite Internet service, Amazon Leo, could be among the first international services to be deployed in Taiwan, Lin said.

Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs Yeh Ning (葉寧) visited Australia to examine the service’s potential applications, including its use as a backup communications system for remote areas, he added.