Far EasTone Telecommunications (FET) signed an agreement to act as the authorized distributor for Amazon Leo satellite internet services in Taiwan, with a target window of the first half of 2027.
The tie-up is framed as a way to plug Amazon Leo capacity into FETs network architecture and service portfolio, after FET clears Taiwans approval steps for spectrum and satellite operations.
FETs Amazon Leo role in Taiwans LEO service plan
FET is positioning Amazon Leo as an add-on to its existing connectivity, saying the satellite service is meant to augment traditional networks and extend beyond current coverage areas. FET also said the use case is connectivity in places where terrain or extreme weather events hinder traditional-network performance.
FET targeted industries for the service including maritime, agriculture and mining, and other sectors needing reliable LEO satellite internet, and expected downlink speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s and uplink speeds of up to 400 Mbit/s.
Spectrum and regulator approvals shape the timetable
FET said it owns the 28GHz radio frequency spectrum, aligning with Amazon Leos 27.5GHz to 30GHz operating band. FET must obtain approval from Taiwans Ministry of Digital Affairs to use spectrum for LEO satellite operations.
In addition, FET said it must secure required approvals from the National Communications Commission and the Criminal Investigation Bureau before starting to offer its satellite services. FET also said its clearance process could take nine to 12 months, and it hopes to overcome regulatory obstacles in time to launch LEO satellite services by the first half of 2027.
Amazon Leo readiness level and the next year window
Amazon Leo is still in the process of launching its constellation, and has roughly 300 satellites in orbit. It has yet to launch commercial services.
FET President Ching Chee said there is a chance Amazon Leo-related services could happen in the first half of next year based on the estimated timeline for the whole procedure to go through. Amazon Leo had previously been known as Project Kuiper.
Partnership competition: Chunghwa Telecoms stated openness
Separate from FETs announcement, Taipei Times reported that Chunghwa Telecom has expressed interest in collaborating with Amazon Leo. Chunghwa Telecom is Taiwans largest telecom operator and already holds distribution rights for OneWeb and SES satellite services.
Chunghwa Telecom said it maintains an open attitude toward Amazon Leo partnerships and would not rule out similar collaborations.