A Korean research team, through international joint research with the European Union (EU), has developed infrastructure technology that can expand the scope of 5G services. If commercialized, this technology is expected to provide uninterrupted communication services even in remote and coastal areas where communications infrastructure is lacking, or in disaster situations.

The Electronics and Telecommunications Research Institute (ETRI) announced on the 6th that it had successfully built the world's first 5G-satellite multi-connection network and demonstrated 5G services with ETRI and the French Electronics and Information Technology Research Institute (CEA-Leti).

5G-satellite multi-connection network is a network technology that utilizes 5G communication networks and satellite communication networks together.

By connecting 5G and satellite communications simultaneously, 5G communication services can be used, but in areas where there are no or insufficient base stations, communication services can be maintained through satellites.

Satellites connect ground-based hubs and users at very high altitudes, giving them the advantage of much wider service coverage compared to 5G networks.

This is effective in resolving shaded areas and maintaining service continuity. It can be used in disaster situations such as fires and earthquakes, and even at sea.

ETRI built a 5G satellite multi-connection network testbed through three years of international joint research with the European Union (EU).

Additionally, a proof-of-concept demonstration was conducted to demonstrate that the area in which communication services can be received can be expanded compared to when each network is used independently.

Last October, the research team successfully demonstrated 5G services at the ETRI Daejeon headquarters by connecting to CEA-Leti in Grenoble, France, through the Korea Research Evolution Network (KREONET).

The research team installed a 5G communication terminal, satellite communication terminal, and traffic controller in the vehicle. Traffic control technology is a key technology that helps ensure smooth connection between different communication systems.

This demonstration demonstrated the feasibility of 5G services by connecting two 5G-satellite multi-connection networks across continents.

Based on a multi-network connected across continents, services such as 8K video streaming, VR games, and 360-degree real-time webcams were demonstrated.

This is the world's first attempt at intercontinental interconnection based on a multi-connection network.

In particular, our country's multi-connection network was able to confirm the possibility of future commercial services by utilizing KTSat's Mugunghwa 6 satellite along with a prototype-based 5G cellular network.

ETRI Communications and Media Research Institute Director Seung-chan Bang said, “This international joint research project, with the participation of numerous researchers from Korea, France, Germany, Italy, and other countries, provided an opportunity to experience the expansion of 5G service areas from existing terrestrial communications to satellites.”

Based on the results of this demonstration, the research team plans to prepare follow-up research to enhance the next-generation communication system that combines satellite communications and to develop 5G services using it.

This achievement is the result of three years of international joint research conducted by domestic and EU researchers under the project name '5G-ALLSTAR'.

This project is a broadcasting and communications industry technology development project of the Ministry of Science and ICT, and the Institute of Information and Communications Technology Planning and Evaluation (IITP) participated as a specialized institution. In Korea, KTSat, Korea Automotive Research Institute, SK Telecom, and Snet ICT participated, and overseas, CEA-Leti, TAS, GEM of France, Fraunhofer Institute of Germany, and CRAT of Italy participated.