Starlink, the low-Earth orbit satellite communications service from U.S. company SpaceX, began commercial service in Korea on the 4th.
On X (formerly Twitter) that day, Starlink said, "Starlink's high-speed, low-latency internet is now available in Korea," and released a map showing nationwide coverage marked as "Available."
Starlink provides internet by exchanging signals with ground terminals while hundreds to thousands of satellites orbit low Earth orbit at altitudes of 300–1,500 km more than 10 times a day. By installing a satellite antenna, modem, and router, users can access the internet on smartphones, tablets, and laptops much like on fixed-line and mobile networks.
It enables communications even in areas where building ground networks is difficult, such as mountains, islands, and at sea, and is seen as an alternative to supplement existing mobile networks. However, it is slower than domestic carriers' 5G and fixed-line networks, and the initial expense to purchase antennas and equipment is cited as a limitation.
According to the Starlink Korea website, the residential (B2C) plan offers unlimited data for 87,000 won per month, and the equipment expense is 550,000 won. New subscribers can try it free for 30 days. The "Light" plan, which limits speeds during peak hours, is 64,000 won per month. Roaming plans for use in mobile environments such as vehicles and ships are 72,000 won per month (50GB) and 144,000 won (unlimited).
Business (B2B) plans range by tier from 90,000 won (50GB) to 755,000 won (2TB), with additional charges based on overage.
In Korea, SK Telink and KT SAT have become official resellers for Starlink Korea. SK Telink said the same day it signed a supply contract for maritime Starlink service with shipping line Pan Ocean. Pan Ocean plans to sequentially apply low-Earth orbit satellite communications to its 113 owned vessels and newbuilds under construction. SK Telink will provide technical support to improve fleet operation efficiency in addition to terminal installation, activation, and maintenance, and plans to expand into shipbuilding, plants, industrial sites, and disaster-safety communications.
KT SAT signed its first supply contracts with ship management specialist KLCSM and with Lotte Property & Development, respectively. KT SAT, together with KT, is also reviewing applying Starlink to the backhaul network of mobile base stations (such as mobile base station vehicles).