#South Korea #Seoul #SKY Perfect JSAT #5G NTN #KT SAT

KT SAT and SKY Perfect JSAT Form Strategic Alliance to Innovate in GEO-Based 5G NTN Technologies

KT SAT, a prominent player in Korea's satellite communications sector, has teamed up with SKY Perfect JSAT, Japan's leading satellite services provider, to explore groundbreaking advancements in GEO-based 5G Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) technologies. The two companies have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), paving the way for collaborative research and development (R&D) initiatives aimed at validating and commercializing these next-generation communication technologies.

The partnership signifies a significant step in the pursuit of a unified approach to 5G NTN solutions. By leveraging their combined expertise, KT SAT and SKY Perfect JSAT plan to focus on the technical validation of ground systems and user equipment associated with GEO-based NTN services. Their objective is to establish a reference architecture for seamless operation of GEO-transparent 5G NTN using Ka- and Ku-band frequencies.

Through their MoU, both companies emphasize the importance of fostering interoperability through open standards, enhancing collaboration with global technology providers, and ensuring robust integration of their respective satellite networks. This cooperation will hinge on practical and coordinated R&D activities designed to assess the performance of 5G NTN systems under real-world operational conditions in GEO satellite environments.

Highlights of their collaboration will include conducting joint testing within shared 5G NTN test environments and defining reference architectures for their respective gNB/5GC (Ground) and user equipment (UE) systems. These efforts will align with 3GPP standards, allowing for timely exchanges of results and system parameters that will facilitate technical alignment and development.

Additionally, SKY Perfect JSAT intends to utilize its newly established "Universal NTN Innovation Lab" as part of this collaborative venture. The lab will serve as a hub for innovative solutions and technological advancements necessary for the evolution of 5G NTN.

Another critical focus of this partnership will be exploring interoperability and roaming capabilities between their GEO satellite networks. Such efforts are envisioned to expand the scope of their 5G NTN collaboration into a broader global alliance. This initiative will extend to other international satellite operators and ecosystem partners, accelerating the commercialization processes associated with 5G NTN.

The establishment of a global 5G NTN ecosystem based on open standard interoperability is anticipated to yield mutual benefits for both end-users and satellite operators alike. The partnership aims to drive economies of scale in terminal manufacturing, making 5G NTN terminals more affordable and accessible to a wider audience worldwide.

In addition, this collaboration is expected to enhance mutual resiliency and disaster preparedness. By ensuring communication reliability during emergencies and natural disasters, KT SAT and SKY Perfect JSAT will maintain uninterrupted connectivity for their users.

"This partnership represents a significant milestone in the development of GEO-based NTN services," stated Youngsoo Peter Seo, CEO of KT SAT. "Building on the successes of this joint effort, KT SAT is committed to driving the commercialization of NTN-based ground and terminal systems, thereby enhancing the competitiveness of its next-generation GEO satellite on the global stage."

Eiichi Yonekura, Representative Director, President, and CEO of SKY Perfect JSAT, remarked, "We are confident that this initiative will bring us closer to our vision of a world that is connected anytime and anywhere. By leveraging each other's technologies and expertise, we will promote the development of a seamless 5G NTN ecosystem that bridges space and terrestrial networks."

This announcement will be officially unveiled at the upcoming 6G Mobile Korea 2025 event scheduled for October 30th.