Matsu Communication Resilience Upgraded: Taiwan-Matsu No. 4 Submarine Cable Nears Completion, Ferry Travel to Feature Smooth Streaming

Taiwan's Ministry of Digital Affairs is bolstering the communication resilience of the Matsu islands with the upcoming completion of the "Tai-Ma No. 4" submarine cable and microwave communication systems. These upgrades aim to enhance connectivity for residents, crew, and tourists.

Minister of Digital Affairs, Zih-han Chen, visited Matsu from June 16-17 to inspect the ongoing construction. The "Tai-Ma No. 4" cable, despite minor delays due to Middle East tensions affecting shipping, is expected to finish soon. This will bring the total number of submarine cables between Taiwan and Matsu to three. Additionally, each of Matsu's four townships, Beigan, Nangan, Dongyin, and Juguang, will have at least two microwave systems for external communication, significantly strengthening their network resilience.

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Taiwan and Matsu will have 3 submarine cables, and each township will have at least 2 microwave systems for external communication, effectively strengthening their communication resilience.

Beyond fixed infrastructure, the ministry is also improving maritime communication. Following the ministry's guidance, telecom operators have enhanced the mobile communication quality on the new Tai-Ma ferry. Passengers and crew can now enjoy stable mobile signals and smooth streaming of video content while sailing between the islands. The ministry plans to further subsidize telecom operators this year to extend mobile communication services to the shipping route between Taiwan and Matsu, ensuring continuous connectivity for travelers.

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The new Tai-Ma ferry now has stable mobile communication signals on its route between the Matsu islands. During the trip between Nangan and Dongyin, mobile communication across islands was smooth, allowing for seamless streaming of video content.

Minister Chen expressed gratitude to China Telecom and the Coast Guard Administration for their long-term commitment to submarine cable maintenance and protection. He recalled an incident where the Coast Guard and China Telecom swiftly activated backup mechanisms and coordinated repairs for the Tai-Ma No. 2 and No. 3 cables in Dongyin, completing the restoration faster than the average time and ensuring stable communication services for Dongyin.

The ministry emphasizes the critical role of mobile communication in daily life and is committed to improving infrastructure in remote and offshore areas. Through forward-looking infrastructure budgets and public-private partnerships, the ministry incentivizes telecom operators like Chunghwa Telecom, Far EasTone, and Taiwan Mobile to accelerate and expand their network construction. Future efforts will focus on establishing diverse, redundant backup systems, including submarine cables and microwave systems at key nodes, enhancing cable early warning systems, and expediting repair mechanisms to further bolster Matsu's communication network resilience.

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In the digital age, mobile communication is inseparable from people's lives. To improve communication infrastructure in remote and offshore areas, the Ministry of Digital Affairs provides incentives through forward-looking budgets and other subsidy or guidance measures.