Taiwan Activates Backup Communications After Undersea Cable Breaks

Taiwan has activated backup communications for Dongyin, its northernmost territory, after an undersea cable linking the island to Beigan in the Matsu Islands broke due to shifting ship wreckage, likely caused by poor weather conditions. The incident has raised concerns about the vulnerability of undersea communication cables, which have previously been attributed to damage from Chinese vessels. Dongyin, home to approximately 1,500 residents and a significant military presence, relies on this cable for internet and voice communications. The Ministry of Digital Affairs reported that a microwave communication backup system is now operational, ensuring mobile phone and internet services are functioning normally, although cable television services are down and some internet services may face delays. Repairs by Chunghwa Telecom are expected to be completed by the end of July, contingent on weather conditions. This incident follows previous disruptions in 2023, where undersea cables were also cut, with Taiwan attributing the damage to Chinese ships without evidence of deliberate tampering. Taiwan continues to enhance its communication resilience, including trials for low-Earth-orbit satellite systems.

Key Points: • Taiwan activated backup communications for Dongyin after an undersea cable break. • The cable was damaged by shifting wreckage, likely due to poor weather conditions. • Repairs to the cable are expected to be completed by the end of July 2026.