Chunghwa Telecom selects Eutelsat OneWeb for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite services

November 2023

Chunghwa Telecom, the largest integrated telecommunication service provider in Taiwan, has signed an exclusive multi-million-dollar distribution partner agreement for Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite services with Eutelsat OneWeb, ushering in a new era of satellite connectivity in Taiwan.

Eutelsat OneWeb’s LEO satellite network will enable Chunghwa Telecom to bolster their expansive suite of communication services with additional space-based connectivity. The integration of Eutelsat OneWeb services to Chunghwa’s solution set will offer greater resiliency as well as complementing terrestrial fixed and mobile networks, submarine cables and microwave communication services, which they provide for government and business customers.

Alex Chien, Executive Vice President of Chunghwa Telecom, led a delegation to the London offices of Eutelsat OneWeb, which is part of Eutelsat Group - the world’s first GEO-LEO satellite operator - to sign the agreement. He commented:

“Eutelsat OneWeb is a leading provider of LEO satellite services and Chunghwa Telecom is excited to have the opportunity to collaborate with the Eutelsat OneWeb team to introduce LEO satellite services into the country. Taiwan is an island and relies heavily on submarine cables for external connectivity, with satellites serving as a secondary option. Therefore, satellite services are essential communication tools for the Taiwanese government and businesses. By integrating Eutelsat OneWeb's LEO satellite service with our Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellite service, Chunghwa Telecom takes the first step towards establishing a multi orbit satellite service portfolio.”

"We are thrilled by the opportunity to partner with Chunghwa Telecom and the ability it gives us to extend our mission of bringing high-speed, low-latency connectivity to people around the world,” said Stephen Beynon, co-General Manager of Eutelsat OneWeb. “Eutelsat OneWeb strives to enable our partner’s growth and this agreement is a testament to the success of our approach and the continued demand for our services. Chunghwa Telecom has long been a premier provider in the region and we look forward to working together to deliver robust, resilient connectivity services.

Eutelsat OneWeb’s LEO satellite constellation comprises more than 600 satellites and due to their proximity to Earth, they are able to deliver fast, low-latency communication services, meeting the demand for high-quality network connectivity and achieving resilience through network redundancy.

Chunghwa Telecom plans to continue actively collaborating with international and domestic industry partners, including participating in key satellite business developments. Additionally, Chunghwa Telecom plans to establish a satellite service terminal testing center in Taiwan with Eutelsat OneWeb, aiming to provide technical expertise and integrate domestic and international satellite service resources. Chunghwa Telecom will collaborate with government satellite research institutions, academic units, and satellite industry vendors to collectively promote the development of the domestic satellite industry.