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Taiwan amends telecom law to let Starlink operate on island
The change removes foreign ownership and local chair requirements for satellite operators, while still requiring security and public interest checks.
Taiwan’s legislature approved an amendment to the Telecommunications Management Act that exempts satellite communications operators from foreign ownership caps and the requirement to have a Taiwanese chair, clearing a path for overseas providers such as SpaceX’s Starlink to operate on the island, according to SCMP Economy.
The exemptions are conditioned on security and public interest checks, and they are seen as removing the main legal barrier that previously prevented Starlink from operating in Taiwan.
Negotiations with Taiwan’s regulators collapsed in 2021 after Starlink insisted on operating a wholly owned local business, SCMP Economy reported.
The policy shift is expected to strengthen both military and civilian communications if conventional networks are disrupted in a conflict with mainland China, and SCMP Economy cited commentary noting Taiwan already works with Britain’s OneWeb but that it may only cover core military needs during wartime.