The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced the results of a feasibility study on the new hyperspace national project, 'ABLE-MAN', and is actively exploring the satellite communications market in preparation for the era of 6G and space communications.

ETRI announced that at a discussion held at the Plaza Hotel in Seoul on the 2nd, ETRI ICT Strategy Research Institute Director Han Seong-su announced the results of the investment feasibility study on Able Man, a hyperspace national strategic project.

Able Man is a terrestrial-non-terrestrial integrated network technology that includes direct cellular, satellite edge computing, 3D Open RAN, and intelligent cooperative networking.

ETRI President Seung-chan Bang, who attended the symposium, had an in-depth discussion on Project Able Man with key figures from related industries and academia.

This project aims to lead the global satellite communications market with the K-satellite system through cooperation between academia, industry, and research ecosystems, as well as challenges in satellite communications technology and market development due to the spatial expansion of mobile communications in preparation for the advent of the 6G and space communications era.

This discussion was organized to proactively prepare for the growth of new businesses and services by pooling public and private capabilities, discover business models, and secure future growth and technological sovereignty.

The discussion included LIG Nex1, Hanwha Systems, and Korea Aerospace Industries. A total of 14 experts from various fields, including industry, government agencies, academia, and private organizations, attended.

Participants shared the results of the investment feasibility analysis of the Able Man Project and exchanged opinions on considerations in terms of technology, standards, and services, as well as civil-military and global cooperation plans to improve the economic feasibility of the domestic low-orbit satellite system.

In particular, experts in each field freely discussed specific needs and suggestions they felt in the field and had in-depth discussions on ways to increase the effectiveness of the project.

The Able Man Project aims to build a next-generation communications infrastructure covering land, sea, and air using an innovative technology called hyperspace network.

Hyperspatial networks can present a new paradigm for the digital economy by enabling communication beyond space, maximizing data transmission speed and efficiency.

This technology has great potential for application in various fields such as smart factories, autonomous driving, smart cities, and national defense, and has the potential to bring about innovative changes across industries.

ETRI plans to begin full-scale research and development on hyperspace networks starting next year.

In addition, to this end, we plan to operate the ‘Hyperspace Network R&D Strategy Committee (tentative name)’ to bring together the capabilities of experts from industry, academia, and research.

ETRI ICT Strategy Research Institute Director Han Seong-su said, “We plan to create a specific implementation plan that reflects the needs of the ecosystem and expert opinions through the strategy committee and suggest it to the government.”

ETRI President Seung-chan Bang emphasized his R&D philosophy of 'challenging technology, pioneering the market, and cooperating with the ecosystem', “The Able Man Project will be an important foundation for responding to the new challenges of the 6G era by utilizing hyperspace network technology, and thereby dramatically developing the nation's digital infrastructure. In addition, by internalizing AI and SW technology, we will maximize the efficiency and performance of advanced communications infrastructure, and actively seize opportunities in the new space age to help the national interest," he said.

ETRI plans to actively reflect the voices from the field gathered through discussions and, based on this, strive to establish Able Man as a national strategic project and produce specific results.