TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Ministry of Digital Affairs (MODA, 數發部) announced on Wednesday (Jan. 22) that it will classify 10 domestic undersea cables, including the Taiwan-Matsu cable, as critical infrastructure. This decision follows repeated disruptions in recent years.
MODA received a report at 5:34 a.m. regarding suspected cable damage due to core wire aging in the Taiwan-Matsu No. 2 cable. The Taiwan-Matsu No. 3 cable had already been reported as completely severed. The ministry has aimed to enhance communication resilience by allocating more maintenance resources and subsidizing Chunghwa Telecom (中華電信) to construct the Taiwan-Matsu No. 4 cable.
Digital Minister Huang Yen-nun (黃彥男) held an emergency press conference to explain the situation. To address this, the ministry instructed Chunghwa Telecom to activate microwave backup to maintain communication between Taiwan and Matsu and expedite cable repair efforts.
The minister emphasized the importance of undersea cables for Taiwan's communication as an island nation and highlighted efforts to promote low-orbit satellite emergency communication. Deputy Minister of Digital Affairs Chiueh Her-ming (闕河鳴) noted no suspicious vessels near the Taiwan-Matsu No. 3 cable, suggesting natural deterioration as the cause.
Chueh explained that natural degradation typically results in gradual core fractures. Chunghwa Telecom's systems monitor the cables, and repair ships are scheduled, especially in winter when currents increase degradation risks. The ministry also plans to complete the Taiwan-Matsu No. 4 cable by June 2026 to improve overall network reliability.