Space is rapidly evolving into a military frontier, and South Korea is making great strides in this field.According to Korean media reports herald corpthe Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced a collaboration with the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) to accelerate the development of 6G satellite communications technology.
The partnership aims to advance various projects, including the development of CubeSats, Project 425, Korean Positioning System (KPS), and Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications. The ultimate goal is to conquer the domestic market and make a mark on the international stage.
In June 2023, the International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R) completed the IMT-2030 framework, which envisions the deployment of 6G services in the 2030s. South Korea is promoting the concept of ubiquitous connectivity, where services cover every corner of the globe, including the skies.
In order to expand future services, cooperation between terrestrial and satellite communications is considered essential. LEO satellite communication is considered the cornerstone of 6G communication services and can overcome temporal and spatial limitations. This technology has applications in various fields such as defense communications, urban air mobility (UAM), in-flight networks, and maritime communications for ships, and is expected to provide innovative solutions for South Korea.
ADD emphasizes the importance of this collaboration with ETRI and emphasizes the continued development of the CubeSats and LEO satellite constellations. Bridging the civil and military sectors, this cooperation aims to strengthen the country’s competitiveness in space technology and develop a mutually beneficial model to strengthen its defense capabilities.
ETRI emphasizes that the integration of terrestrial and satellite services will become increasingly prevalent in 6G communications. With LEO satellites serving multiple applications, we plan to develop a variety of services to ensure emergency preparedness.
