KT announced on the 9th that it has signed a business agreement with LIG Nex1 for the development of core technologies for dual-use low-orbit satellites.
Currently, the low-orbit satellite communication industry is led by global corporations such as SpaceX, Kuiper Systems, and OneWeb, and in this environment, foreign satellites and ground stations (wireless stations installed on the ground for communication with satellites) are utilized. However, using foreign corporate satellites in defense communication, where security is crucial, can lead to issues, which is why the need for Korean low-orbit satellites is emerging.
Through this business agreement, the two companies plan to jointly promote preliminary research on 6G low-orbit satellite communication systems and quantum cryptography. This will enable them to secure core technologies for dual-use low-orbit satellites and prepare for joint responses to win various defense communication satellite projects, including military low-orbit tactical satellite projects, in the future.
The two companies plan to first jointly develop a 6G satellite communication system simulator to be used in the design of the low-orbit satellite constellation. In the development of the simulator, KT will be responsible for the 6G NTN (non-terrestrial network) base station parts, conducting performance analysis and requirements validation, while LIG Nex1 will handle the low-orbit satellite part and satellite communication aspects.
To strengthen communication security, KT's wireless quantum cryptography technology and LIG Nex1's ultra-precise orientation tracking technology will be utilized. The two companies plan to develop ultra-long-distance wireless quantum cryptography technology for future military mobile tactical network projects and the advancement of satellite cryptographic systems.
Lee Jong-sik, head of KT's Future Network Research Institute, noted, "The importance of mobile communication technology in military communication systems has already been emphasized," adding that "KT will show the direction of evolution for military communication systems by expanding 6G technology to both ground and satellite communication through this collaboration."
Kim Do-kyung, head of LIG Nex1's C4I Research Institute, stated, "As 5G and low-orbit satellite communication rapidly advance and become more sophisticated, the importance of collaboration between the military and corporations with advanced technologies is increasingly growing," and added that, "Through this cooperation, we will strive to build a faster and safer defense network by integrating KT's core mobile communication technologies with LIG Nex1's independent military communication capabilities across land, sea, air, and space."