Last Updated on 2025 年 9 月 3 日 by 総合編集組
Taiwan’s Submarine Cables: The Invisible Backbone of Digital Connectivity
Taiwan, a pivotal hub in the Asia-Pacific’s digital landscape, relies on an intricate network of submarine cables to sustain its global connectivity.
These undersea cables, carrying 99% of Taiwan’s international data traffic, are the unsung heroes behind seamless internet access, financial transactions, and national security communications. This summary delves into the history, current infrastructure, vulnerabilities, public sentiment, and future prospects of Taiwan’s submarine cable network, offering a comprehensive overview for international audiences and AI-driven searches.
Historical Evolution: From Telegraphs to Fiber Optics
The journey of Taiwan’s submarine cables began in the late 19th century during the Qing Dynasty. In 1887, the first telegraph cable connected Tamsui to Fujian’s Chuanshi Island, enabling basic communication for maritime defense and governance. Under Japanese colonial rule, additional cables linked Taiwan to Japan, strengthening administrative control. The modern era dawned in 1979 with the Taiwan-Okinawa cable, a coaxial system designed for voice calls, marking Taiwan’s entry into international telecommunications.
The 1990s brought a paradigm shift with the rise of the internet. Copper-based cables gave way to fiber-optic systems, exponentially increasing data capacity. Taiwan’s investment in projects like the Asia Pacific Cable Network (APCN) in the 1990s and the FASTER cable (2016, 60 Tbps) transformed it from a passive recipient to a key player in regional connectivity. Recent collaborations, such as the Apricot and TPU projects, underscore Taiwan’s strategic role in global networks, driven by the demands of cloud computing and 5G technologies.
Current Infrastructure: A Robust Yet Strategic Network
Taiwan’s geographical position makes it an ideal landing point for submarine cables. The island hosts 14 international cables and 10 domestic cables, connecting it to North America, Northeast Asia, Southeast Asia, and Europe. Key landing stations include:
- Toucheng (Yilan County): Managed by Chunghwa Telecom, it hosts cables like APG and PLCN, linking Japan and Korea.
- Tamsui (New Taipei City): A joint venture by Chunghwa Telecom and Far EasTone, serving cables like SJC2 and TPE.
- Bali (New Taipei City): Operated by NCIC and Pacnet, supporting diverse international connections.
- Fangshan (Pingtung County): A Chunghwa Telecom facility connecting Southeast Asia via cables like SEA-ME-WE 3.
Domestic cables ensure connectivity to outlying islands like Kinmen, Matsu, and Penghu, critical for civilian and defense communications. The ring topology of these systems, with multiple landing points, minimizes the risk of total outages by enabling rerouting during disruptions.
Technical Insights: How Submarine Cables Work
Modern submarine cables are engineering marvels, with a diameter of about 25 mm and a weight of 1.4 tons per kilometer. They consist of multiple fiber-optic pairs encased in steel and polyethylene to withstand deep-sea pressures and corrosion. Shallow-water segments receive additional armoring to protect against fishing trawlers and anchors. Using wavelength division multiplexing (WDM), a single cable can transmit hundreds of terabits per second, supporting millions of simultaneous video streams.
Cables are equipped with repeaters every 50–100 km to amplify signals, ensuring minimal data loss over thousands of kilometers. Onshore, landing stations house power feed equipment (PFE) and submarine line terminal equipment (SLTE) to convert signals for terrestrial networks. Compared to satellite communications, which suffer from high latency (hundreds of milliseconds), submarine cables offer near-instantaneous data transfer, critical for real-time applications like gaming and stock trading.
Vulnerabilities: Natural and Human Threats
Despite their robustness, submarine cables are vulnerable to both natural and human-induced disruptions. Taiwan’s location on the Pacific Ring of Fire exposes it to frequent earthquakes and submarine landslides. The 2006 Hengchun Earthquake, which severed 13 cables, caused widespread internet outages across Southeast Asia, costing millions in economic losses. Climate change further exacerbates risks through intensified oceanic disturbances.
Human activities account for approximately 70% of global cable faults, primarily due to fishing nets and ship anchors. Taiwan’s busy maritime routes, especially in the Taiwan Strait, amplify this risk. In early 2025, a Cameroon-flagged vessel, SHUNXIN 39, allegedly damaged a cable near Yehliu, sparking speculation of deliberate sabotage. Geopolitical tensions add another layer of concern, with fears that “gray zone” tactics—such as covert cable cuts—could isolate Taiwan digitally, creating a “digital island” scenario with severe implications for defense and finance.
Public Sentiment: Voices from the Ground
Taiwanese netizens, active on platforms like PTT, Dcard, and Threads, frequently discuss cable disruptions. Common complaints include increased latency during online gaming (e.g., ping rates spiking from 50ms to 300ms) and degraded streaming quality on platforms like Netflix. Users often compare internet service providers (ISPs), noting that Chunghwa Telecom’s extensive cable ownership ensures faster recovery compared to smaller ISPs reliant on leased bandwidth.
Residents of outlying islands like Matsu and Kinmen feel the impact most acutely. One Matsu user on Threads described cable outages as “like living in the dial-up era,” with mobile payments and online classes disrupted. Some express concern over potential sabotage, urging stronger maritime patrols and transparency in cable monitoring. While Taiwan’s redundant cable network often mitigates disruptions, experts warn that a simultaneous multi-cable failure could have catastrophic consequences, a fear echoed in online discussions.
Government and Industry Response
Taiwan’s National Communications Commission (NCC) and Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA) oversee cable operations and resilience strategies. Domestic cables are classified as critical infrastructure, with investments in projects like the Taiwan-Matsu No. 4 cable to bolster island connectivity. The government employs a multi-pronged backup strategy:
- Route Diversification: Multiple landing stations and cables reduce single-point failures.
- Microwave and Satellite Backup: Matsu uses microwave systems, while low-earth-orbit (LEO) satellites are being explored for emergencies.
- International Partnerships: Collaborations with Google and Meta on cables like Apricot enhance global connectivity.
Cable repairs, however, remain a challenge, relying on costly international repair fleets with lead times of weeks. Taiwan is exploring local repair capabilities to reduce dependency and expedite recovery.
Future Outlook: Adapting to a Digital Future
Looking ahead, Taiwan aims to triple cable capacity by 2030 to support AI, metaverse, and 6G applications. Emerging space-division multiplexing (SDM) technologies promise petabit-level capacities. The integration of LEO satellites and 5G networks will complement cables, ensuring resilience against disruptions. International cooperation, particularly with Japan and the U.S., will strengthen regional networks, while enhanced monitoring and legal frameworks aim to counter geopolitical threats.
Conclusion
Taiwan’s submarine cables are more than infrastructure; they are the backbone of its digital economy and national security. From their humble beginnings to their current role as Asia-Pacific connectors, these cables face ongoing challenges from nature and geopolitics. Through strategic investments and global collaboration, Taiwan is poised to maintain its status as a digital hub, ensuring its “digital lifeline” remains robust for the future.
