TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — A legislative committee on Monday passed amendments to the Telecommunications Management Act that would remove restrictions requiring satellite communication operators to be locally owned, potentially paving the way for SpaceX's Starlink satellite internet service to enter Taiwan.
The amendments still require further review and cross-party negotiations before being submitted to the legislature for a final vote. The proposed revisions would eliminate the requirement that the chairperson of a satellite communication operator be Taiwanese and remove a provision limiting direct and indirect foreign shareholding to no more than 60%, per UDN.
Taiwan's three major telecommunications companies quickly responded that they respected the committee's efforts to amend regulations but said issues, including national security, cybersecurity, regulatory oversight, and industry development, must also be considered.
Chunghwa Telecom said it supports a more flexible regulatory environment that would allow international operators to provide services in Taiwan. It added that it is cooperating with international low-Earth-orbit satellite operators to enhance disaster prevention and backup for critical infrastructure, while also making investments in high- and medium-Earth-orbit satellites for a multilayered, resilient communications network.
Taiwan Mobile also welcomed regulatory adjustments but urged lawmakers to ensure strong protections for industry governance, data sovereignty, and user privacy. Far EasTone Telecommunications also expressed support for the proposed measures, including the establishment of satellite ground receiving stations and cooperation between international operators and local companies, per UDN.
The Taiwan Communications Society also voiced support for introducing diverse LEO satellite services, noting that the Russia-Ukraine war demonstrates the strategic importance of satellite communications when terrestrial networks are damaged. However, the group said improving communications resilience should not come at the expense of weakening regulatory oversight, according to a press release.
TCS Chair Wang Wei-ching (王維菁) said Taiwan needs diverse satellite services but must ensure that key communication controls, user data governance, and legal responsibilities are incorporated into a locally enforceable framework.
"Satellite services can cross borders, but responsibilities cannot be transferred overseas," Wang said. "The prerequisite for market opening is that the government can supervise in peacetime, intervene in the event of incidents, and ensure service continuity and the rights of the public."
TCS pointed to Japan as an example, where telecommunications operators, including KDDI, NTT DOCOMO, and SoftBank, have launched direct satellite connection services with Starlink, integrating satellite capabilities into telecommunications networks and public safety systems. TCS recommended that Taiwan adopt a similar differentiated regulatory approach through conditional and phased market opening, per the press release.
It said international satellite operators entering Taiwan should, in principle, establish legal entities in Taiwan with sufficient operational capabilities and responsibility mechanisms. Operators involved in direct satellite connection services or using Taiwan's mobile frequencies or core network infrastructure should cooperate with locally licensed telecommunications companies, the group said.
