According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), undersea cables carry more than 90% of global internet data traffic and face more than 150 cable breaks annually worldwide, primarily due to human errors and accidents. These incidents underscore the fragility of global communication infrastructure. As an island nation heavily dependent on submarine cables, Taiwan is particularly vulnerable to such disruptions and is taking proactive steps to strengthen its network resilience.

Since launching its "Pioneer Program", Huawei has garnered consistent attention in the smartphone market. Having achieved a strong resurgence in China, the company is now aiming to reclaim its position on the global stage.

Ericsson announced on January 14 that 5G Standalone (SA) and 5G advanced networks are poised to become the next major focus for the mobile industry. This shift comes as telecom operators seek to adopt performance-driven business models and provide differentiated services for customers.

Taiwan's three major telecom operators —Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, and Far EasTone Telecommunications— all delivered stellar results in 2024, driven by merger synergies, rising average revenue per user (ARPU), and successful B2B market expansion. All three companies achieved record-high revenues and demonstrated impressive operational improvements.

Chinese officials are evaluating a potential option that involves Elon Musk acquiring the US operations of TikTok if the company fails to fend off a controversial ban on the short-video app, according to people familiar with the matter.

The US Department of Defense's decision to add Tencent to its Entity List may significantly impact its flagship messaging app, WeChat, especially the international version. This escalation also adds fresh uncertainty to Tencent's relationship with Apple, which has already faced tensions over app payment policies and software updates.

Taiwan's undersea cable disruptions near Keelung have intensified concerns about the security of critical tech infrastructure, particularly as similar incidents occurred in the Baltic Sea in November and during the 2024 year-end holiday season.

Taiwan is gearing up for next-generation 6G research and development, with the National Science Council (NSC) prioritizing three sectors in the IMT-2030 framework.

A Chinese-owned freighter registered in Cameroon has drawn scrutiny for severing an undersea cable off the coast of northern Taiwan near Keelung Harbor. This latest disruption underscores the growing vulnerabilities in Taiwan's critical infrastructure as tensions with China continue to escalate.

The year 2024 saw intensifying US-China tech tensions amid sweeping US sanctions and China's economic challenges, including weak demand, declining foreign investment, and widespread layoffs. With former President Trump's return in 2025 looming, tech and trade conflicts are set to escalate, deepening the nations' decoupling.

A White House official said on December 27 that the US identified a ninth telecommunications company impacted by a wide-ranging Chinese espionage effort and that further steps are planned to curb cyberattacks from Beijing.

On December 24, 2024, Taiwan-based mobility solutions leader Line Go hosted a media event where Chairman and CEO Lin Chun-sheng detailed the current state of Taiwan's Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) industry and the company's 2025 development plans.

Taiwan's entry into the 5G era began in February 2020 with the licensing of 1.8 GHz, 3.5 GHz, and 28 GHz frequency bands. The 28 GHz band was positioned as a gateway for millimeter wave (mmWave) technology, promising ultra-reliable low-latency communication, enhanced mobile broadband, and massive machine-type communication.

Rafael Microelectronics has outlined its revenue performance for 2024 and future growth strategies, highlighting steady shipment and revenue growth for its wideband RF product line, driven by a solid customer base and increasing penetration with global brands.

The explosive growth in AI adoption has created opportunities beyond traditional computing sectors, with networking suppliers emerging as major beneficiaries. While Broadcom, a leader in wireless networking chips and prominent ASIC provider, gains attention for its AI ASIC growth, Taiwan-based networking switch makers like Accton and Senao Networks are discovering new growth avenues through AI servers.

Nokia laid out an ambitious roadmap for 6G development and network innovation at a recent Taiwan event, forecasting explosive growth in bandwidth demand and a shift toward AI-driven telecommunications platforms.

The US House of Representatives is preparing to vote on the fiscal year 2025 national defense budget, which includes a US$3 billion provision aimed at helping US telecoms completely remove Chinese-supplied equipment. The measure specifically targets Huawei and SMIC equipment to prevent potential network communication attacks from Chinese hackers.

Smartphone shipments underperformed in the second half of 2024, particularly with Android momentum in China slowing compared with the first half of the year. As a result, Taiwanese power amplifier (PA) supply chain players have experienced weak performance in the past two quarters, pushing related players to focus on developing low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite products.

The rapid growth of generative AI (GenAI) and its proliferating applications is driving the need for telecom operators to optimize and expand their 5G systems. According to Ericsson's 2024 Global Consumer 5G Report, released on December 5 in Taiwan, this trend presents significant opportunities for telecom operators and equipment vendors as 5G users increasingly demand differentiated network connectivity services.

Recently, Huawei's executive director and chairman of the board of directors of the consumer business group (BG), Richard Yu, announced that the new foldable flagship smartphone, Mate X6, will feature a triple-network satellite version. In addition to supporting two-way satellite messaging and two-way calling, the device will now also incorporate low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite internet.

Drawing from his first term, US President-elect Donald Trump's latest tariff threats targeting key trading partners—China, Mexico, and Canada—are signaling a strategic opening for negotiations rather than a definitive plan for implementation.

Wi-Fi 7 shipments have accelerated significantly in the second half of 2024, and industry experts expect Wi-Fi 7 penetration rates to grow in 2025, with upgrades to consumer devices, routers, and even basic infrastructure picking up pace even amid sluggishness in the general economy.

Japanese space communications pioneers are charting an alternative path in the global satellite internet race, pushing beyond traditional satellite networks with a comprehensive strategy that spans from ocean to space. The initiative aims to address the growing demands of Beyond 5G/6G communications while facilitating the transition to a decentralized society.

Worldwide spending on telecommunications and pay TV services will reach US$1,544 billion in 2024, representing an increase of 2.4% year-on-year, according to the Worldwide Semiannual Telecom Services Tracker published by IDC. The latest prediction is 1pp higher than the version published in the May edition of IDC's Tracker. If that forecast becomes reality, the above-mentioned annual growth rate would be the highest recorded in the last 12 years.

Accton has announced its board's approval for an investment in InLC Technology (InLC). This long-term investment aims to strengthen the R&D of foundational optical communication technology products, preparing for the anticipated demand for all-optical communication over the next three to five years.