Domestic researchers are joining forces to secure and globalize 6G satellite communication technology.

The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced on the 17th that it has decided to pursue business cooperation with the Agency for Defense Development (ADD) to strengthen cooperation in the field of satellite communication technology, which is receiving increasing attention worldwide.

The two organizations plan to cooperate in areas such as ▲strengthening research and development capabilities through the convergence of IT and defense technologies, ▲exchanging research and development information, ▲joint use of research facilities and equipment, and ▲space technology.

Through this collaboration, we plan to solidify cooperation in the currently jointly promoted micro-satellite system development project and the Korea Satellite Navigation System (KPS) development project, and to fully promote cooperation related to low-orbit satellite communications.

The research team said, “This collaboration is being promoted as a follow-up to the business agreement between the two government ministries last year, with the aim of strengthening cooperation between research institutes. It is very meaningful that the two institutions representing our country’s civilian and military have joined forces.”

The International Telecommunication Union Radiocommunication Sector (ITU-R), which defines telecommunications standards, completed the IMT-2030 framework in June as a 6G service vision targeting services in the 2030s. Low-orbit satellite communications are rapidly emerging as a key 6G communication service that overcomes time and space constraints. It is expected to provide various future services such as future defense communications, disaster relief, urban air mobility (UAM), large-scale internet in airplanes, and ships at sea.

Meanwhile, in December last year, the Ministry of Science and ICT and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration signed a business agreement for the development of satellite communication technology between the civilian and military.

ADD Director Jong-Seung Park said, “Low-orbit satellite communications are an opportunity for a new leap forward in national defense and national space development. ADD is preemptively securing defense space technologies such as ultra-small satellites and a Korean low-orbit tactical satellite constellation. Through this civilian-military cooperation with ETRI, we will discover a model for mutual cooperation projects and contribute to national defense and security by securing national space technology competitiveness.”

ETRI President Seung-chan Bang also said, “6G communication will gradually grow into a service that integrates ground and satellite and develop into various services. In times of emergency, the utility of low-orbit satellites will increase even more. We will take the lead in developing 6G satellite communication technology by establishing a technology cooperation system with ADD, which is leading future defense, and take the lead in revitalizing our country’s satellite communication industry.”

In the future, ETRI and ADD will establish an effective R&D cooperation system, including technology exchanges and joint research and development, to lay the foundation for the development of both organizations, secure core technologies based on 6G low-orbit satellite communications, and expand support for fostering Korea's satellite communications industry.