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Moda states that, in order to continuously strengthen Taiwan's communication resilience and accessibility and improve maritime communication networks in Penghu, concerted efforts have been made by moda, central and local governments, and telecommunications companies. Additional base stations have been constructed at high points along the route, and the angles of transmission for multiple existing base stations along the route have been adjusted and optimized. As a result, the coverage of mobile broadband signals during the journey along the route has increased from the original 22% to 91%. Wi-Fi and mobile networks are now available for use by crew members and passengers, significantly improving mobile broadband signal coverage along the route by 90%.

Today(15), Minister Tang , along with a team from moda , conducted an inspection of the improvements in mobile broadband signal coverage on the Penghu Ferry today. They were accompanied by members of the Universal Service Fund Management Committee for Telecommunications, members of the Forward-looking Planning Committee, representatives from the 3 major telecommunications companies, as well as Mr. Chung-lin Chou, General Manager of Taiwan Navigation Co., Ltd., Director-General of the Maritime Port Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications Hsieh-lung Yeh, Vice Magistrate of the Penghu County Jie-hsing Lin, Deputy Secretary-General of the Tainan City Government Shih-his Yin, and Director of the Kaohsiung City Information Center Chun-chieh Liou. They all boarded the Penghu Ferry together to witness and experience the improvements in signal coverage along the Penghu Ferry route, demonstrating the determination of public-private cooperation to improve mobile broadband infrastructure in remote areas.
    
Moda pointed out that the Penghu Ferry serves as the transportation link between Kaohsiung and Penghu, covering a route of 128 kilometers. Previously, once the ferry departed from the shore, it would leave the coverage area of the base stations, leaving the ship to rely solely on synchronous satellites for communication. However, due to limited bandwidth, passengers were unable to smoothly access the internet or make calls during the journey. The available talk time and internet usage were both less than 1 hour, with download speeds below 1 Mbps. Moda utilized the Forward-looking Infrastructure Development Program initiated by the Executive Yuan to subsidize telecommunications companies in setting up three base stations in Penghu County, Tainan City, and Kaohsiung City, as well as installing telecommunication equipment on the Penghu Ferry. Additionally, the ministry encouraged telecommunications companies to independently establish 2 base stations and improve 81 coastal base stations.

After implementing the aforementioned key measures, the mobile broadband download speed on the Penghu Ferry route can now reach 10-50 Mbps. In the event of emergencies, such as during emergencies, the broadband can transmit images and other information, allowing for early awareness of on-site conditions and facilitating the dispatch of rescue resources. During normal operation, crew members and passengers on the Penghu Ferry can use Wi-Fi and mobile broadband networks for calling, internet browsing, and sending images or messages. In areas with good signal reception, smooth video streaming is also possible, enhancing communication accessibility. However, due to the distance between coastal base stations and the Penghu Ferry, which can be up to approximately 20 kilometers, network speed may still be affected by factors such as the number of users, weather conditions, and the location of the Penghu Ferry.

Minister Tang stated that, in order to enable the Penghu ferry to access mobile broadband internet, moda has been working with Maritime Port Bureau of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Penghu County, Tainan City, Kaohsiung City, and Taiwan Navigation Company since October of last year(112). With the joint efforts of the three major telecommunications companies, they have constructed and improved multiple base stations along the route coast, successfully upgrading the narrowband service that previously relied solely on synchronous satellite transmission for text to broadband service.

Minister Tang stated that broadband internet access is a fundamental human right. Since its establishment, moda has been fully committed to enhancing digital resilience and improving the accessibility of communication services. This includes encouraging telecommunications companies to introduce mobile broadband networks in rural, mountainous, and transportation hub areas by adjusting frequency usage fee standards. For example, initiatives have been implemented in places such as the Kuaigu Lodge in Beidawu Mountain and the Taiwan Railway Eastern Line and Mr. Brown Avenue, Taitung. Furthermore, through support from forward-looking planning, efforts have been made to accelerate the enhancement of network coverage in rural and outlying areas. The Penghu Ferry, which everyone boarded today, serves as one example of these efforts. In the future, moda will continue to collaborate with various sectors to promote the widespread adoption of mobile communications, ensuring that broadband internet services are accessible to everyone, everywhere.

Following that, Minister Tang and the visiting delegation participated in a 5G vertical domain application service event in Penghu County. They experienced the application outcomes of 5G technology in areas such as AI inspection, telemedicine, smart entertainment, and WEB AR. On the 16th, they will proceed to Chidong Elementary School in Penghu County to hold a "Digital Application for Telecom Accessibility" event. During this event, they will showcase various digital applications, including the promotion of 5G vertical networks, digital infrastructure in remote areas, and digital education, conducted by the Administration for Digital Industries, moda and subsidized telecommunications companies, to the people of Penghu County and students and teachers.

Moda further elaborated that it continues to promote the construction of 5G networks in Taiwan. In accordance with the "Subsidy Program for 5G Network Construction" approved by the Executive Yuan, moda collaborates with telecommunications companies to actively strengthen 5G network infrastructure in areas such as major transportation hubs, large-scale event venues, and baseball stadiums. Up until last year, a total of 13,200 5G mobile broadband base stations have been subsidized for construction by telecommunications companies, and funding has been provided to promote the development of 91 locations for 5G vertical domain application services. This acceleration of industry development and digital transformation facilitates diversified applications of 5G across various sectors. Additionally, Administration for Digital Industries, moda has established the "Mobile Broadband Network Promotion Office," which opens up 5G frequency and network resources to foster industry innovation applications, comprehensively enhancing industry resilience.

Moda will continue to encourage telecommunications companies to promote various types of digital applications such as 5G vertical domains, digital trust, data innovation, and energy-saving sustainability through digital transmission resource fee systems, universal service funds for telecommunications services, and forward-looking construction projects. They will also promote cross-sector collaboration to facilitate effective frequency utilization. Additionally, infrastructure for telecommunications will be built in remote areas such as Penghu County and outlying islands to accelerate local industry digital transformation, improve quality of life, and enhance digital resilience.