Taiwan’s Matsu Islands Hit by Subsea Cable Outages
Cable Failure Causes Concern Over Security
Two ageing subsea telecoms cables serving Taiwan’s Matsu archipelago have stopped functioning over the past week, with the outages blamed on "natural deterioration", Taipei communication officials said today.
Outages Affect Residents and Businesses
A domestic cable, carrying data and communications, "disconnected" on January 15 and another this morning, the digital affairs ministry and Chunghwa Telecom said. Back-up microwave communications have been activated to prevent internet disruptions for residents and businesses on the Matsu Islands, located off China, the ministry added.
Third Cable Still Not Working
A third fibre optic cable linking the islands to Taiwan that previously malfunctioned is also still not working. The outages have caused concern in Taiwan over the security of its cables, particularly after a Chinese-owned cargo ship was suspected of severing one northeast of the island earlier this month.
Cause of Outages
The latest outages were due to "natural deterioration" of the wires, said deputy minister Herming Chiueh. "We hope to be able to replace the ageing parts of the cables in Taiwan, of our domestic cables, as soon as possible," Peter Niou, head of the ministry’s resilience construction division, told reporters.
Taiwan’s Cable Infrastructure
Taiwan has 14 international underwater cables and 10 domestic ones. In February 2023, two subsea telecoms lines serving Matsu were cut within days of each other, disrupting communications for weeks. Locals and Taipei officials suspected that Chinese fishing vessels or sand dredgers, which often drop anchor or scrape the seabed in Taiwanese waters, may have been responsible.
China’s Claims and Threats
China claims Taiwan as part of its territory and has threatened to use force to bring it under its control. Taipei fears Beijing could sever communication links to the island as part of an attempt to seize or blockade it. The island’s defence minister said last week that its navy would be on standby to help protect undersea telecoms cables and deal with suspicious vessels.
Conclusion
The recent outages of subsea cables serving Taiwan’s Matsu Islands highlight the importance of maintaining a secure and reliable communication infrastructure. The "natural deterioration" of the cables is a concern, and it is crucial that Taiwan replaces ageing parts of its cables as soon as possible. The island’s defence minister has taken steps to protect undersea telecoms cables, and it is essential that Taiwan continues to prioritize the security of its communication links.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What caused the recent outages of subsea cables serving Taiwan’s Matsu Islands?
A: The outages were caused by "natural deterioration" of the wires.
Q: How many subsea cables does Taiwan have?
A: Taiwan has 14 international underwater cables and 10 domestic ones.
Q: Has Taiwan experienced similar outages in the past?
A: Yes, in February 2023, two subsea telecoms lines serving Matsu were cut within days of each other, disrupting communications for weeks.
Q: What is Taiwan doing to protect its undersea telecoms cables?
A: The island’s defence minister has put the navy on standby to help protect undersea telecoms cables and deal with suspicious vessels.