The global competition for low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications, next-generation network technology, is heating up among companies worldwide. These satellies orbit at altitudes of 500 to 2,000 kilometers, much closer to Earth than traditional geostationary satellites at approximately 36,000 kilometers. This proximity enables faster communication speeds and broader commercial applications. LEO satellites also provide stable connectivity in remote areas with limited infrastructure, such as open seas, aircraft in flight, and Arctic regions.
This year, competition in LEO satellite communications is set to intensify as Amazon in the U.S. and Chinese firms ramp up investments. China on Feb. 11 successfully launched the Long March 8A rocket for LEO satellite deployment, accelerating its domestic satellite technology development. Amazon is also set to begin satellite launches this year. While U.S. SpaceX’s Starlink currently dominates the market, the growing recognition of satellite communications as essential for 6G commercialization is attracting new players.
With Starlink and OneWeb set to launch services in South Korea in the first half of this year, LEO satellite communication services will officially begin in the country. However, experts say the country still has a long way to go in developing its own satellite communication technology without relying on foreign companies.
Starlink is widely recognized for pioneering the LEO satellite communications market. While LEO satellites offer high-speed connectivity, their coverage area per satellite is limited. Starlink addressed this by launching thousands of satellites to form a global network. Of the approximately 8,000 LEO satellites currently in orbit, more than 7,000 belong to Starlink, and the company plans to expand this to 42,000.
The company is rapidly expanding beyond residential services to sectors like maritime and aviation. Starting in March, it will roll out in-flight internet services in partnership with United Airlines. A South Korean industry official noted, “Starlink’s in-flight internet offers faster speeds and fewer route restrictions compared to geostationary satellite-based services.”
Eutelsat OneWeb, formed through the merger of the U.K.’s OneWeb and France’s Eutelsat in 2023, is currently Starlink’s strongest competitor. The company provides satellite communication services in over 40 countries and operates around 650 satellites at an altitude of 1,200 kilometers—higher than Starlink’s 550 kilometers. However, unlike Starlink, OneWeb lacks its own satellite launch capabilities, making it reliant on partnerships with other firms.
LEO satellite communication services are set to launch in South Korea in the first half of this year. Starlink is expected to partner with local companies such as SK Telink, KT SAT, and LG Uplus to provide satellite services primarily for maritime use. A Ministry of Science and ICT official stated, “The necessary administrative procedures are underway and should be completed by March.”
OneWeb is also preparing to enter the South Korean market, initially focusing on military applications. Hanwha Systems, which invested $300 million in OneWeb, is working to build a military network using the company’s LEO satellites.
South Korea is set to begin domestic LEO satellite development this year, but experts suggest that the country’s late start compared to international competitors necessitates a faster pace of progress. The Ministry of Science and ICT plans to invest 320 billion won by 2030 to advance related technologies. The government will select a consortium of local companies to launch domestically developed satellites and establish a communication network.
