Chunghwa Telecom is significantly expanding its submarine cable infrastructure, with plans to deploy two major systems – Southeast Asia-Japan Cable 2 (SJC2) and Apricot – within the first half of this year. This strategic move reflects the company’s commitment to enhancing Taiwan’s digital connectivity and bolstering data security amid growing geopolitical concerns.
Chunghwa Telecom is allocating up to TWD 2 billion (USD 60.9 million) in 2025 to this critical infrastructure development. The SJC2 system, spanning 10,500 kilometers, will connect 11 cable landing stations across key Asia-Pacific regions, including Singapore, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Taiwan, China, South Korea, and Japan. The Apricot system, extending 12,000 kilometers, will connect Taiwan to Japan, Guam, the Philippines, Indonesia, and Singapore. Chunghwa Telecom is an active participant in the consortia developing both cable systems.
Beyond these immediate projects, Chunghwa Telecom is actively exploring other potential submarine cable projects in collaboration with key partners. Chairman Alex Chien emphasized the company’s inclination to invest in cables connecting Taiwan to Southeast Asia and Pacific nations. Recognizing the importance of data security and resilience, Chunghwa Telecom is also considering the launch of more medium Earth orbit (MEO) and high Earth orbit (HEO) satellite internet services to provide robust backup connectivity in case of undersea cable disruptions.
To address immediate connectivity challenges, Chunghwa Telecom is investing in the repair of two damaged domestic submarine cables linking Taiwan and Lienchiang County (Matsu) that were damaged in late January.
Recognizing the increasing importance of digital infrastructure, Chunghwa Telecom is strategically allocating 25.2% of its 2025 capital expenditures (CapEx) to non-mobile sectors, including submarine cable expansion. This strategic investment aligns with the company’s focus on supporting the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and AI data centers.
