What did KT and LIG Nex1 agree to develop together?

The two companies agreed to jointly develop core technologies for homegrown low Earth orbit satellites. Their focus includes a 6G satellite communications system and quantum cryptography.

Why did KT say it is pushing homegrown low Earth orbit satellite technology now?

KT said the agreement came amid growing calls to develop domestic LEO satellites to help protect national security. It also pointed to foreign firms such as SpaceX and Kuiper Systems dominating the global market.

How will KT and LIG Nex1 say the partnership affect military communications?

KT said the collaboration will help extend 6G technology into satellite communications as well as terrestrial networks. LIG Nex1 said it wants to build a fast and safe military communications system through the partnership.

KT, LIG Nex1 to join hands to develop homegrown satellite technologies

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Summary

KT said Thursday it will team up with LIG Nex1 to develop homegrown low Earth orbit satellite technologies. The companies signed a memorandum of understanding to work on core technologies including a 6G satellite communications system and quantum cryptography. KT said the move reflects growing calls for domestic LEO satellites to strengthen national security. KT and LIG Nex1 said the collaboration aims to improve military communications.

Key Facts

KT and LIG Nex1 signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop core technologies for low Earth orbit satellites.
The planned technologies include a sixth generation satellite communications system and quantum cryptography.
KT said foreign players such as SpaceX and Kuiper Systems are dominating the global LEO satellite market.
Lee Jong-sik, head of KT’s Future Network Laboratory, said the collaboration will expand 6G technology to satellite communications and terrestrial networks.
Kim Do-kyung, head of LIG Nex1’s C4I research institute, said the partnership aims to build a fast and safe military communications system.

Published Jan 9, 2025 11:21 am KST
Updated Jan 9, 2025 11:21 am KST

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is launched, carrying 23 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit in Cape Canaveral, Fla, U.S., May 6, 2024. Reuters-Yonhap

KT, a major Korean telecommunications company, said Thursday it will join hands with defense firm LIG Nex1 to develop propriety technologies for homegrown low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites.

The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop core technologies for LEO satellites, including a sixth generation (6G) satellite communications system and quantum cryptography, according to KT.

KT said the initial agreement was made amid growing calls for the development of homegrown LEO satellites to better protect national security as foreign players, such as SpaceX and Kuiper Systems, are dominating the global market.

"Through this collaboration, KT will show the evolution of military communication systems by expanding the application of 6G technology to satellite communications as well as terrestrial networks," Lee Jong-sik, head of KT's Future Network Laboratory, said.

Kim Do-kyung, head of LIG Nex1's C4I research institute, also said it will work to build a "fast" and "safe" military communications system through its collaboration with KT.

"The importance of advanced technology cooperation between the private sector and the military has grown as 5G and LEO satellite communications technologies are rapidly becoming more advanced and sophisticated," Kim added. (Yonhap)

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