KT, South Korea's largest telecommunications company, on Monday announced its satellite-operating subsidiary, KT SAT, will launch its next satellite in 2024 at the earliest. to transition the company as a provider of 5G platform-based service.
KT SAT, South Korea's sole satellite communication operator, unveiled its plan to launch KOREASAT 6A to succeed KOREASAT 6, which will be decommissioned in 2025 after 15 years of service. KT said the next-generation satellite will be equipped with the latest satellite technologies, including 'high throughput satellite' (HTS) and 'software-defined satellite,' to cope with rapid traffic spikes in the upcoming 5G era.
KT SAT is also preparing for aggressive marketing in the South East Asia and East Asia following the launch of KOREASAT 6A, with an aim at joining Asia's top five satellite operators. The company is currently providing broadcasting and communication services in such island nations as the Philippines and Indonesia.
KOREASAT 6A to Handle Higher-Speed Transmissions - HTS provides high-speed data transmission over 10 times faster than that of the classic fixed-satellite service (FSS) and the KOREASAT 6A will be capable of reconfiguring its beam coverage. Both technologies are aimed at optimized service to satisfy changing customer demands in the 5G era.
The new satellite may also be loaded with the Korea Augmentation Satellite System (KASS), a Korean regional version of the Satellite-based Augmentation System (SBAS). SBAS improves the accuracy and reliability of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) information by correcting signal measurement errors and providing information about the accuracy, continuity and availability of its signals.
KT SAT plans to determine the payload and applicable technologies for KOREASAT 6A within this year and begin construction of the new satellite in 2021.
Song Kyung Min, President and CEO, KT SAT
We at KT SAT will continue to work hard so that we will be able to lead the satellite industry in the next 50 years through reorientation to a satellite platform operator and active participation in the government's space projects.
