Chunghwa Telecom has announced a major infrastructure investment of NT$4.6 billion (US$139.2 million) in the development of a new trans-Pacific submarine cable system aimed at strengthening digital connectivity between Asia and North America.
The fiber-optic cable, known as E2A, will span approximately 12,500 kilometers and is being built in collaboration with international partners including SK Broadband (South Korea), SoftBank (Japan), and Verizon (United States). The new system is expected to be operational in the second half of 2028.
Chunghwa Telecom Chair Chien Chih-cheng emphasized that the investment supports the company’s strategic vision of integrating submarine cables, terrestrial fiber networks, 5G, satellites, and microwave technology into a unified “Sea, Land, Sky, and Space” network. This comprehensive infrastructure approach is designed to boost network resilience and solidify Taiwan’s role as a regional digital hub.
The E2A cable will connect several key landing points: Toucheng (Taiwan), Busan (South Korea), Maruyama (Japan), and Morro Bay (California, USA). Chunghwa Telecom said the system will serve as critical infrastructurefor global communications, integrating with other upcoming cables such as SJC2 and Apricot to further enhance Taiwan’s trans-Pacific connectivity.
The telecom giant also highlighted its dominant position in Taiwan’s submarine cable market, having invested in over 30 international cable systems, including 14 with direct links to Taiwan.
With more than 90% of international internet traffic relying on submarine cables, Chunghwa Telecom’s move reflects a long-term commitment to digital infrastructure. The company is also actively working to secure exclusive distribution rights for satellite networks including OneWeb’s low Earth orbit (LEO) and SES’s medium Earth orbit (MEO) systems, both scheduled for mid-2025, and is in negotiations for Amazon’s Project Kuiper, expected to begin satellite deployment next June.
