'Starlink' and 'OneWeb' Near Launch in Korea... High-Speed In-Flight Wi-Fi to Arrive This Year

LEO Satellite Service to Begin This Year Pending Device Conformity Assessment and Cross-Border Agreement Approval
Government Launches Development of 6G-Based LEO Communication System

The era of ultra-high-speed satellite communication using low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites is set to begin in South Korea within this year. The domestic launch of LEO satellite communication services by SpaceX’s ‘Starlink’ and European satellite operator Eutelsat OneWeb is now imminent.

On April 27, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced, “We have completed all the necessary institutional groundwork to allow LEO satellite communication operators such as Starlink and OneWeb to provide services in Korea.” Starlink and OneWeb plan to begin commercial services as soon as they complete the domestic device conformity assessment procedures and obtain approval for cross-border supply agreements.

LEO Satellite Service to Enable In-Flight Wi-Fi and Video Calls at Sea

Yoo Sangmin, Minister of Science and ICT, stated, “With the introduction of LEO satellite communication services in Korea, in-flight connectivity on aircraft will be upgraded to high-speed Wi-Fi, and, in particular, crew members on long-haul vessels will be able to access online video services (OTT) and make video calls, significantly improving crew welfare.” The service is also expected to enhance communication environments in remote islands and mountainous areas and serve as a means to restore communication networks during disasters such as wildfires.

SpaceX established Starlink Korea last year to accelerate its entry into the Korean market. In May 2023, it applied for approval of a cross-border supply agreement with the government and has since been undergoing various administrative procedures required to launch domestic services. OneWeb, through Hanwha Systems, submitted its application in December of the same year.

Since then, the Ministry of Science and ICT has allocated the necessary frequencies for stable LEO satellite service operation and amended the Radio Waves Act. The frequency allocation table was revised to assign 10.7?12.7 GHz and 14.0?14.5 GHz as broadband communication frequencies between satellites and mobile platforms.

This month, technical standards for the introduction of satellite communication terminals were also revised. Reflecting the characteristics of terminals that communicate directly with LEO satellites, different standards from those for geostationary satellite terminals were applied. As a result, operators such as Starlink and OneWeb can now import terminals into Korea and apply for conformity assessment at the National Radio Research Agency (RRA).

Kim Namcheol, Director General of Radio Policy at the Ministry of Science and ICT, said, “Once OneWeb or SpaceX submits the necessary terminals for LEO satellite service, we will conduct conformity assessments according to the technical standards. We do not expect this process to take long.” He added, “The launch of services within this year is certain, but as operators finalize their business plans in compliance with domestic laws, the schedule may change during the consultation process, so it is difficult to specify an exact date. Starlink and OneWeb may launch services simultaneously or separately.” Currently, no other companies have applied for service approval, though Amazon has made some preliminary inquiries.

Korea Accelerates LEO Satellite Communication Technology Development... KRW 31.7 Billion Invested This Year

Separate from the entry of foreign private operators, the government is also accelerating efforts to secure its own LEO satellite communication technology. By 2030, the plan is to launch two communication satellites into low Earth orbit using the Nuri launch vehicle and verify domestic technology. To this end, the Ministry of Science and ICT will promote the ‘6G Standard-Based LEO Satellite Communication System Development and Verification Project’ starting this year.

The goal of this project is not simply to launch satellites. The aim is to independently secure core components and system technologies required for LEO communication, such as communication payloads, satellite buses, ground stations, and terminals. In particular, technology development will be pursued to ensure compatibility with sixth-generation mobile communication standards.

The government plans to invest a total budget of KRW 320 billion in this initiative, with approximately KRW 31.7 billion allocated for research and development this year alone. By project, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) has been selected as the lead research and development organization for satellite bus development, the Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) for communication payload development, and Solid for ground terminal establishment.

Minister Yoo stated, “Through investment in internationally standardized LEO satellite communication, we will enhance the competitiveness of Korea’s satellite communication industry. In this process, we will expand the participation of mobile and satellite communication component companies to share core technologies and know-how, and actively transfer and disseminate the accumulated technologies of government-funded research institutes to the private sector, providing full support.”