Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs has attributed the latest subsea cable outage impacting the island to “natural deterioration.” This explanation follows the disconnection of subsea cables linking Taiwan to the Matsu Islands, located near China’s coastline. The incident has led to disruptions in communications, but Taiwan has activated backup systems to restore partial connectivity.
What Happened to Taiwan’s Subsea Cables?
On January 22, 2025, two critical subsea cables connecting Taiwan’s Matsu Islands were severed, causing communication issues for the island’s residents. Government officials confirmed the cables were completely cut off, though they were expected to be restored by the end of February. The outage left around 14,000 people in Matsu without reliable access to the internet and other services.
Taiwan quickly activated backup communication systems, including microwave technology, to provide limited internet connectivity until the issue is resolved.
Taiwan Dismisses Sabotage Allegations
In contrast to previous incidents, Taiwan’s government has ruled out sabotage as the cause of the subsea cable disruptions. Deputy Digital Minister Chiueh Herming assured the public that there were no suspicious vessels detected in the area when the cables went offline. Instead, the government attributes the outage to the natural deterioration of the cables.
This explanation follows several similar issues with subsea cables in recent years, raising questions about the lifespan and maintenance of such critical infrastructure.
Previous Subsea Cable Incidents in Taiwan
This is not the first subsea cable outage to impact Taiwan. Earlier in January 2025, damage occurred to a Chunghwa Telecom-operated subsea cable off Yehliu, New Taipei City. Investigators have linked this damage to the Shunxin 39, a Cameroon-registered cargo ship, which allegedly severed the cable as it departed from Keelung for South Korea.
Additionally, in 2023, Taiwan accused a Chinese fishing vessel of damaging the Taiwan-Matsu No. 2 cable. In that case, the vessel was believed to have caused the cable to break, disrupting communications between Taiwan and its Matsu Islands.
The Growing Concern of Subsea Cable Security
While Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs is not suspecting sabotage in this most recent case, international incidents involving subsea cable damage have raised concerns. For instance, in late 2023, a Chinese ship was suspected of damaging cables between Finland and Estonia. Similar incidents, including suspected sabotage by the Yi Peng 3 vessel in the Baltic Sea, highlight the growing importance of securing subsea cable networks.
Taiwan’s Efforts to Address Cable Deterioration
Taiwan is facing an increasing number of subsea cable malfunctions, with four reported cases already in 2025. This is compared to just three incidents in each of the previous two years. The government is now focusing on improving the durability and maintenance of these cables to prevent further outages.
To mitigate future disruptions, Taiwan is also investing in alternative communication solutions. These include strengthening satellite-based and microwave communication systems, which can provide a fallback when subsea cables face issues.
FAQ Section
What caused the subsea cable outage in Taiwan in January 2025?
Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs blamed “natural deterioration” for the latest subsea cable outage affecting the Matsu Islands. Backup communication systems have been activated to ensure continued connectivity.
How long will the subsea cables be offline?
The Taiwanese government expects the subsea cables linking Matsu to the main island of Taiwan to be restored by the end of February 2025.
Has Taiwan experienced other subsea cable incidents recently?
Yes, Taiwan has reported multiple subsea cable issues in the past few years. A similar cable malfunction occurred earlier in January 2025, and a fishing vessel was blamed for a similar incident in 2023.
Why is Taiwan focusing on alternative communication systems?
Given the rising number of subsea cable malfunctions, Taiwan is investing in alternative communication methods like satellite and microwave technology to ensure continuity of service during outages.
Are there security risks associated with subsea cables?
Yes, there have been instances where subsea cables have been damaged or tampered with, leading to concerns about security risks. Taiwan is monitoring these issues closely and improving security measures.
