Taiwan has activated emergency communication systems for its northernmost territory, Dongyin, after an undersea cable linking the island was damaged.
Authorities said poor weather conditions appeared to have shifted the wreckage of a ship onto the cable, causing it to break.
Dongyin, home to around 1,500 residents, occupies a key position at the northern end of the Taiwan Strait and hosts a significant military presence.
The island lacks an airport and depends on ferry links to Taiwan, adding to its logistical challenges.
Taiwan's Ministry of Digital Affairs said the damaged cable connected Dongyin to Beigan in the Taiwan-controlled Matsu archipelago, located close to China's coast.
A microwave-based backup system has now been activated, ensuring that voice calls, mobile services and internet connectivity continue to operate normally.
However, cable television services remain offline, and some internet services may experience minor delays due to ongoing weather conditions.
Repairs are being carried out by Chunghwa Telecom, with restoration expected by the end of July, subject to weather conditions.
The vulnerability of undersea cables linking Taiwan's outlying islands has long been a concern for Taipei.
In 2023, two cables connecting the Matsu islands were severed, cutting off internet access. Taiwanese authorities said Chinese vessels were responsible for the disruption, though they stopped short of accusing Beijing of deliberate sabotage.
Since then, Taiwan has stepped up efforts to strengthen communication resilience, including trialling low-Earth-orbit satellite systems for remote regions such as Matsu in the event of emergencies or conflict.
(with inputs from Reuters)