Only Device Conformity Assessment Remains...
Domestic Service Expected Next Month
Starlink, the low Earth orbit satellite-based wireless internet service provided by Elon Musk's SpaceX, has cleared a major regulatory hurdle for launching its service in South Korea by receiving approval for its supply agreement.
The Ministry of Science and ICT announced on May 30 that it has approved the cross-border supply agreement between Starlink Korea and SpaceX. In addition, it approved the cross-border supply agreements that Hanwha Systems and KT SAT have each signed with Eutelsat OneWeb.
Starlink is a low Earth orbit satellite-based wireless internet service operated by SpaceX. SpaceX uses its own low Earth orbit satellites, increasing the number of satellites to expand coverage areas. Compared to existing satellite internet, Starlink is considered more affordable and offers speeds and latency comparable to standard internet services. It is expected to be particularly useful in remote islands, mountainous regions, and on ships where installing wired internet infrastructure is difficult.
Under the Telecommunications Business Act, foreign operators such as SpaceX or OneWeb cannot directly provide telecommunications services in South Korea. In order to offer services in the country, domestic key telecommunications operators must sign cross-border supply agreements with foreign operators and obtain approval from the Minister of Science and ICT.
Accordingly, SpaceX established Starlink Korea and completed its registration as a key telecommunications operator in South Korea. It then applied for approval of the agreement signed with SpaceX. The UK-based satellite internet company OneWeb also had its agreements with domestic key telecommunications operators Hanwha Systems and KT SAT submitted for approval.
The Ministry of Science and ICT explained that, in accordance with the Telecommunications Business Act, it comprehensively reviewed the three cross-border supply agreements, considering the stability of service provision, the impact on competition in the domestic telecommunications market, and user protection, and approved all three agreements.
With the approval of these cross-border supply agreements for entry into the Korean market, both Starlink and OneWeb now only need to complete the device conformity assessment for user antennas. Currently, a separate antenna terminal that communicates with satellites is required to use these services.
Once the device conformity assessment is completed, both companies will be able to launch their services in South Korea. The industry expects that low Earth orbit satellite communication services will arrive in the country as early as next month.
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