As communication technology continues to evolve, the push to extend communication beyond terrestrial boundaries is gaining momentum. In anticipation of the 6G era, which promises to expand connectivity into the three-dimensional aerial domain, KT has successfully developed technology to link KT SAT’s satellite with 5G NTN (Non-Terrestrial Network) capabilities.
On September 30th, KT (CEO Kim Young-seop) and KT SAT (CEO Seo Young-soo) announced that they have successfully linked the terrestrial 5G network to KOREASAT 6, located in geostationary Earth orbit (GEO) at an altitude of 35,800 km. This marks the world’s first application of the 5G NTN standard to a GEO satellite. The test, conducted at KT SAT’s Kumsan Satellite Center, involved collaboration with Rohde & Schwarz Korea and VIAVI Solutions Korea.
What is 5G NTN?
5G NTN is a revolutionary technology that extends the range of 5G services by utilizing satellites instead of traditional ground-based base stations. Defined in 3GPP Release 17, which was completed in 2022, 5G NTN enables connectivity in areas with limited or no coverage, such as seas, mountains, and aerial zones. Although data speeds are slower compared to terrestrial 5G networks, the technology fills critical coverage gaps, offering uninterrupted services by connecting existing 5G networks with NTN coverage.
Key Technical Achievements
One of the primary challenges in satellite communication is dealing with the propagation delay caused by the long distance and the Doppler effect resulting from satellite movement. During the testing process, KT successfully developed a solution to precisely compensate for the signal delay over a distance of approximately 35,800 km using 5G NTN technology. This breakthrough is essential for ensuring seamless communication services via satellites.
Future of 5G NTN and Its Impact
KT highlighted that 5G NTN technology will bring significant changes to the communication industry, enhancing connectivity for billions of people and devices while creating new business opportunities. The company also mentioned that 3GPP Release 19 is currently working on standards that could allow 5G NTN to partially replace terrestrial 5G networks, with interoperability testing expected to begin once the standards are finalized.
KT’s future plans include expanding 5G NTN technology beyond geostationary satellites. The company aims to develop interoperable systems for medium-Earth orbit (MEO) satellites, low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, and high-altitude platform stations (HAPS), all of which are supported by the 5G NTN standard.
Industry Reactions and Collaborations
Kim Tae-hoon, CEO of Rohde & Schwarz Korea, expressed his excitement about the project, stating, “NTN is one of the core technologies of 5G and future 6G, extending terrestrial communication networks to previously unreachable areas like the sea and air.” He emphasized Rohde & Schwarz Korea’s contribution to ensuring the smooth operation of 3GPP standard-based NTN services.
Seo Beom-seok, CEO of Viavi Solutions Korea, shared similar enthusiasm, noting that the successful technology verification using GEO satellites opens the door to low-orbit 5G NTN services. This development paves the way for future 6G services, which aim to deliver broadband, hyper-connectivity, and low-latency communications through NTN technology.
Lee Jong-sik, managing director and head of KT’s Network Research Institute, concluded by saying, “NTN technology, which is being defined in the 5G Advanced standard, will become a core element of 6G. In the future, 6G will expand communication coverage beyond terrestrial limitations, heralding a truly ubiquitous communications era.”
For more information, visit KT’s official website.
