Amazon LEO to Launch Commercially Next Year; Far EasTone Holds Advantage with 28GHz Spectrum Partnership

(Taipei, May 18, CNA, Reporter Chiang Ming-yen) Minister of Digital Affairs Lin Yi-ching stated on Facebook that Starlink's biggest future competitor, Amazon LEO, is expected to offer commercial services globally, including Taiwan, in the first half of next year. Far EasTone Telecom, holding the 28GHz band required by Starlink, is expected to benefit in operational cooperation for a local launch. Far EasTone President Chee Ching previously mentioned that any good news would be announced promptly. While Starlink, under the global LEO leader SpaceX, has yet to land in Taiwan, Minister Lin Yi-ching pointed out on Facebook that Starlink does not consider Taiwan a high-priority market due to its over 99% 4G and 5G population coverage. However, its main competitor, Amazon LEO, is scheduled to launch commercial services worldwide, including Taiwan, next year. With Amazon LEO's entry confirmed, Far EasTone gains an advantage by holding the required 28GHz band, with services expected to launch in partnership as early as the beginning of 2027. Regarding the progress of the collaboration, Far EasTone President Chee Ching has said that good news will be shared as soon as it is available. Although Chunghwa Telecom is also vying for the opportunity, amid disputes over spectrum use, Far EasTone President Chee Ching previously stated that sharing the 28GHz spectrum for satellite use is 'legal and compliant,' and that having multiple satellite systems and operators enhances resilience, with intensive talks with Amazon ongoing. Taiwan's three major telecom companies are actively expanding into the satellite sector. Chunghwa Telecom is the only domestic operator with a multi-orbit satellite fleet (high, medium, and low), having obtained commercial licenses for OneWeb's LEO and SES's O3b MEO satellites last year, in addition to its existing GEO satellites. It also plans a strategic partnership with the American satellite company Astranis to launch Taiwan's first dedicated satellite, with services expected in the second half of this year, covering applications from disaster relief and remote area coverage to maritime/aviation communications and IoT. Chunghwa Telecom Chairman Chien Chih-cheng previously stated that LEO, MEO, and GEO satellite projects are all advancing, with total satellite orders exceeding NT$1 billion to be fulfilled over the coming years. Taiwan Mobile announced it has signed a 'Strategic Cooperation MOU for LEO Satellite Communication Services' with AST SpaceMobile. AST SpaceMobile will provide and operate the LEO mobile communication system and technical resources, which will be integrated with Taiwan Mobile's existing mobile network to deepen its Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) layout and promote direct-to-cell services. Taiwan Mobile noted that the Direct-to-Cellular (D2C) service, which involves satellites connecting directly to standard commercial mobile phones using mobile communication technology, is still under close discussion with regulators regarding necessary adjustments to commercial frequency usage regulations.