1960s: New Frontier - Space Communications
In the 1960s, Taiwan’s economy was growing rapidly and with increased per capita income, the telephone was no longer a luxury but rather a necessity in daily life. Although two 4-year telecom infrastructure projects were carried out starting in 1953, they were insufficient to meet public demand. Therefore, between 1961 and 1968, another two 4-year plans were carried out. They were aimed at not only expanding telecom infrastructure but also enhancing the quality of communications. In addition, a Telecommunications Technology Training Center was set up in 1966 to cultivate talents in the field of telecommunications; it was the predecessor of today’s Telecommunications Training Institute.
Advances in telecom technology opened a new frontier in communications, space communications. In Taiwan, a satellite communication system was officially launched in 1969, enabling Taiwan to have a more substantial connection with the world. Satellite TV broadcasting was a dream come true, and watching youth baseball games live on TV in the middle of the night became a public event in Taiwan. In 1969, people in Taiwan joined the rest of the world to watch on TV the historic moment when American astronauts landed on the moon.