Today’s telecom news includes announcements on Chinese hackers breaching U.S. telecom firm, Chunghwa Telecom’s OneWeb license, Macau phasing out 3G, among others.
Chinese Hackers Breached U.S. Telecom Firm in 2023
Investigations revealed that Chinese state-backed hackers breached a U.S. telecommunications company in summer 2023. Malware associated with the hacking groups remained on the company’s systems for seven months before detection. This breach occurred earlier than previously reported, raising concerns about cybersecurity in the telecom sector. The affected company’s internal investigators discovered the intrusion last year. The incident highlights vulnerabilities in communication infrastructure, which is critical for national security and global data exchange. As telecom networks become central to cloud services, digital communication, and business operations, protecting these systems against cyber threats is increasingly important. The breach underscores the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures within the telecom industry to secure networks and data against state-backed cyber-attacks and maintain trust in global communication systems, Bloomberg News reports.
Chunghwa Telecom Gets Taiwan’s First OneWeb License
Chunghwa Telecom secured Taiwan’s first commercial license to operate OneWeb’s low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite services. The license followed regulatory approvals on frequency use and operations planning. Chunghwa began the process in December 2023 after signing a contract with Eutelsat OneWeb. A testing center for satellite terminals will be built to integrate local and global satellite services. Chunghwa also invested in a satellite from Astranis, scheduled for launch in 2026. In April 2025, Chunghwa confirmed a $115 million acquisition of a GEO satellite. The company is also investing $228 million in a new satellite with Singtel, planned for launch in 2027. Discussions with Amazon’s Kuiper and Telesat are ongoing. Talks with Starlink ended due to regulatory issues. Chunghwa aims to build a multi-orbit satellite network to reduce reliance on submarine cables.
Macau Phases Out 3G: Transition to 4G/5G Connectivity Begins
Macau’s mobile telecommunications sector is undergoing a significant transformation as the 3G network is officially phased out, marking the region’s transition to 4G and 5G technologies. The Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau (CTT) has coordinated with local operators to ensure a smooth transition. Users are encouraged to verify if their devices support 4G/5G and to activate the VoLTE function to maintain voice services post-3G shutdown. Operators have been proactive in communicating these changes through various channels, including SMS, social media, and in-store assistance.
TelecomLead.com News Desk
