TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Ministry of Economic Affairs has boosted the application of 5G and AI to support the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises, helping around 8,700 firms adopt tech solutions, UDN reported on Sunday.
The ministry said that 5G’s high-bandwidth and low-latency capabilities have enabled 106 applications across sectors, including long-term care, retail, manufacturing, and tourism. Taiwan's 5G signal coverage has exceeded 94.36%, with the number of subscribers surpassing 11.16 million as of July.
The ministry said that it has supported telecom operators in three remote townships in Pingtung to roll out 5G networks and AI technologies. The program uses wearable devices to share health data with medical staff, enabling remote care and personalized health management.
The agency noted that 5G allows high-quality images and health data to be transmitted for video consultations, while AI systems paired with wearables can track patients’ health conditions in real time.
The ministry has also helped fastener manufacturers in Kaohsiung adopt 5G and Internet of Things technologies. By linking factory machines with sensors, companies can monitor operations without delay and receive alerts when issues occur.
The changes have reduced equipment shutdowns from about 12 times a month to two, while the number of faulty products has dropped from 5% to 3%, helping traditional fastener makers move toward smarter factories.
Kaohsiung is Taiwan’s largest hub for screws and nuts. To optimize production, the ministry has subsidized the Metal Industries Research & Development Centre to develop 5G and IoT solutions that enable real-time monitoring of mold quality and machine wear.
Additionally, the ministry partnered with hospitality operators to open a tourism facility with low-carbon equipment in New Taipei’s Pinglin District on Dec. 6. The facility features augmented reality and projection technology for immersive tea garden experiences, along with smart displays and voice-guided tours.
