KT SAT and SKY Perfect JSAT Forge a New Partnership for 5G NTN Development

KT SAT and SKY Perfect JSAT Join Forces for 5G NTN Technologies

In a significant development for satellite communications, KT SAT, South Korea's leading satellite operator, and SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, the premier satellite service provider in Japan, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at the joint research and development of 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) technologies based on Geostationary Orbit (GEO). This collaboration marks a pivotal moment in the expansion of the 5G ecosystem, setting the foundation for the future commercialization of 5G NTN services.

The primary goal of this MoU is to enhance the technical validation of both ground and user equipment associated with NTN technologies. By focusing on GEO-based NTN operations using Ka and Ku band frequencies, the two companies aim to create a reference architecture that ensures transparent and efficient 5G services. Their collaborative efforts will concentrate on practical research activities to validate system performance in real operational environments, utilizing shared testing facilities for 5G NTN systems.

In practical terms, this will involve conducting joint testing and defining reference architectures for ground networks (gNB) and user equipment (UE) that comply with 3GPP standards. Additionally, both KT SAT and SKY Perfect JSAT will exchange results and system parameters to enhance technical alignment, which is crucial for interoperability.

Another intriguing aspect of this partnership is SKY Perfect JSAT's plan to leverage their established 'Universal NTN Innovation Laboratory' for research and development purposes. This facility will be vital in validating and innovating 5G NTN solutions.

Moreover, the alliance seeks to explore interoperability and roaming capabilities between their respective GEO satellite networks. The ambitions for this partnership extend to evolving into a Global NTN Alliance, encouraging broader collaboration with international satellite operators and ecosystem partners. This approach is designed to accelerate the commercialization of 5G NTN solutions, ultimately enriching the ecosystem.

The initiative speaks of mutual benefits for end-users and satellite operators, especially in creating an environment that fosters economies of scale in terminal production. This will invariably lead to the affordability and accessibility of 5G NTN terminals for a diverse range of customers worldwide. Furthermore, this collaboration is poised to enhance resilience and disaster preparedness—enabling both companies to maintain communication during emergencies and natural disasters, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity.

Youngsoo Peter Seo, CEO of KT SAT, emphasized the significance of this partnership by stating, "This alliance represents a key milestone for the development of GEO-based NTN. We will actively explore the commercialization of ground systems and terminals based on NTN, aiming to enhance the competitiveness of our next-generation GEO satellites in the global market."

Eiichi Yonekura, Representative Director, President, and CEO of SKY Perfect JSAT, expressed optimism about the future, saying, "We believe that this initiative will bring us closer to our goal of a world that is connected anytime, anywhere. By leveraging the technologies and expertise that each company has developed, we will promote the creation of an integrated 5G NTN ecosystem that bridges space and terrestrial networks."

This landmark announcement will be officially made at the 6G Mobile Korea event on October 30, 2025. The event promises to reveal more insights into the collaborative efforts between KT SAT and SKY Perfect JSAT and their vision for advancing global satellite communication technologies.

Overall, this partnership ventures beyond technology; it aims to create a dynamic 5G NTN ecosystem that fosters collaboration, innovation, and survival in critical situations, thus enhancing the overall landscape of digital connectivity globally.