Taiwan's Universal Microwave revenue grows on low-Earth orbit satellite demand

台灣昇達科技股份有限公司因低軌衛星需求成長受惠

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Universal Microwave Technology reported September revenue of NT$191 million (US$5.97 million), a 15% increase from August, mainly driven by a growth in component orders linked to the rising deployment of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.

LEO satellites, which operate at altitudes ranging from 500 to 2,000 km above the Earth’s surface, enable low-latency and high-speed communication for applications such as internet coverage, telemedicine, and environmental monitoring.

The company said the increasing deployment of LEO satellites is expected to drive demand for communication components, radio frequency modules, and antennas. Revenue from its LEO satellite-related business in September rose 16% compared to August, accounting for 58.3% of the company’s total revenue, per CNA.

From January to September, LEO satellite-related sales made up 53.5% of the company’s total revenue, up from 42% during the same period last year. Orders in this segment have surpassed NT$400 million, and the company expects continued revenue growth into the fourth quarter.

The company added that its self-developed technologies, including radar, wireless communication, and radio frequency modules, can also be used for drone reconnaissance and anti-jamming operations. Its high-frequency antennas and waveguide modules support stable UAV communication, navigation, and monitoring. These technologies were showcased at the Taipei Aerospace & Defense Technology Exhibition in September.

LEO satellites have become a key element of the global communications infrastructure, driven by major projects like SpaceX's Starlink and Amazon's Project Kuiper, which plans to deploy more than 3,000 satellites to deliver fast and affordable broadband internet worldwide. The market for the industry is projected to reach approximately NT$3.2 trillion by 2035.

Taiwanese companies play a vital role in this growing sector. Among them, Universal Microwave Technology, WNC Corp., and Compeq Manufacturing Co. are part of the Starlink supply chain, providing communication modules, optical modules, and printed circuit boards, respectively. To meet rising demand, Universal Microwave plans to build a new factory in Vietnam.