Dec 19, 2024 Taiwan is exploring a partnership with Amazon for its Kuiper broadband satellite system, as the government seeks to bolster communication infrastructure against potential disruptions. Taiwan’s Technology and Science Minister, Wu Cheng-wen, announced the discussions on Tuesday, highlighting the government’s focus on leveraging advanced satellite technologies to ensure resilient communication networks in the face of rising tensions with China. The initiative aligns with Taiwan’s broader strategy to safeguard communications during emergencies, drawing parallels to Ukraine’s deployment of Starlink, the satellite broadband service operated by Elon Musk’s SpaceX. China, which considers Taiwan part of its territory, has been intensifying military activities near the island. Taiwan firmly rejects Beijing’s sovereignty claims, underscoring the importance of robust and independent communication systems. Wu noted that Taiwan’s current satellite service, OneWeb, provides insufficient bandwidth, prompting the government to consider alternatives. While Taiwan is open to collaboration with companies from Europe and Canada, Amazon’s Kuiper system stands out for its advanced development stage. “Amazon’s Kuiper is the most mature in the development stage so far, so we are discussing at this moment whether it’s possible to have a collaboration,” Wu said, without elaborating on specific terms. Amazon’s Project Kuiper aims to deploy over 3,000 satellites to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink. The company has yet to comment on the ongoing talks with Taiwan. Taiwan has also been actively launching satellites using foreign rockets, including those from Arianespace, a joint venture of Airbus and Safran. However, the island aspires to develop domestic launch capabilities. Wu revealed that officials are evaluating potential sites for a launch pad, with a decision expected by late March. The likely location is along Taiwan’s southeast coast, where the military currently operates missile ranges. Once finalized, the launch site could take up to five years to become operational. By advancing its satellite technology and infrastructure, Taiwan aims to fortify its communication networks and reduce reliance on foreign systems, a critical step amid the ongoing geopolitical challenges. Featured image courtesy of The Motley Fool Follow us for more tech news updates.