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Taiwan Island's Comms Cut by Mystery Shipwreck
30 Apr
Summary
- Backup communications activated for Dongyin island after cable break.
- Poor weather conditions caused a shipwreck to damage an undersea cable.
- Cable repairs are expected to be completed by the end of July.
Taiwan has initiated backup communication systems for Dongyin, its northernmost island, following a break in an undersea cable. The incident, attributed to poor weather conditions that shifted a shipwreck onto the vital line, has disrupted services linking Dongyin to the Matsu islands.
While mobile phone and basic internet services are functioning via a temporary microwave backup, cable television and some data services are affected. Chunghwa Telecom is undertaking repairs, with completion projected by the end of July, subject to weather.
This event underscores Taiwan's persistent concerns regarding the security and resilience of its undersea communication cables. In 2023, similar incidents involving Chinese vessels cutting cables to the Matsu islands prompted efforts to enhance communication robustness, including trials of satellite technology.
