TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — In addition to acting as a satellite service agent, Chunghwa Telecom is evaluating investments in Taiwan-made satellite user terminals and hopes to help form a domestic satellite industry chain.

Chair Chien Chih-cheng (簡志誠) said the company is looking at satellite user terminal (UT) makers as part of efforts to strengthen network resilience and bring Taiwan’s electronics manufacturing strength into the sector, per CNA.

He said Chunghwa has already approached five to eight local manufacturers using different technologies and hopes to identify partners that can supply terminals for maritime, aviation, automotive, residential, and enterprise applications.

Chien said that once trial services are successful, domestically produced terminals could be marketed worldwide. He added that 6G mobile networks will “definitely” include a satellite component and described satellites as an important communications medium, saying the company hopes to boost services through resilience-focused infrastructure.

Chunghwa has also signed a strategic deal with US-based Astranis to bring in its third-generation MicroGEO satellite. This is slated to launch by the end of the year and could begin commercial service as early as the third quarter of 2026.

Company President Lin Jung-tzu (林榮賜) said satellite communications will only reach scale if user terminals become affordable. He said he hopes drawing on Taiwan’s manufacturing base will help lower terminal costs and spur new enterprise and consumer applications.