In July, the Korean Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) announced the launch of the 6G Society, a new initiative to enhance technology exchange and cooperation between the 6G mobile and satellite communications industries.

MSIT emphasized: "The natural combination of satellite communications and terrestrial mobile is the key to achieving hyperspace communication services connecting land, sea and air." Through continuous cooperation between the two industries from the early stage, MSIT aims to develop 6G wireless communications with ultra-high connectivity, ultra-low latency and hyperspace.

As satellite communications play an increasingly important role in 6G, the new initiative will share standardization trends between mobile and satellite communications, and promote discussions on technology development and means of connecting related technologies.

According to Jae Myeong, Deputy Director of MSIT's Cyber ​​Policy Office, industry, academia, organizations, and the government need to work together to quickly establish standards for 6G and ensure the technology is commercialized quickly. The ministry will provide a forum for cooperation between mobile communications and terrestrial satellites, listen to the opinions of experts, and reflect them in policy.

In November 2023, MSIT announced a 440.4 billion won R&D plan for future 6G networks. The plan includes developing technologies related to wireless communications, mobile core networks, 6G wired networks, 6G systems, and 6G standardization.

In February 2023, MSIT said South Korea plans to launch 6G services in 2028, two years earlier than the original schedule, through the development of world-class 6G technologies, innovation in software-based next-generation mobile networks, and strengthening the network supply chain. At the same time, the government will also encourage local companies to produce materials, components, and equipment for 6G technology domestically and develop Open RAN.

The two-year move ahead of schedule is aimed at helping South Korea maintain its leading position in the global competition for future network infrastructure, following the 5G network race, to meet the growing demand for higher speeds and lower latency in wireless communications, according to MSIT.

According to German analytics firm IPlytics, South Korea leads 5G technology with a high number of 5G patents, while 4G is mainly dominated by American and European companies. In 2022, the country's 5G patents accounted for 25.9% of the world, behind China (26.8%). The South Korean government wants to increase the number to more than 30% for 6G networks.

(According to Telegraphic, Yonhap)