Starlink Satellite Internet Could Launch in South Korea by April
Click to start listening
Synopsis
Starlink, the satellite internet service by SpaceX, is expected to become available in South Korea as early as April. The Ministry of Science and ICT is working to finalize regulations, paving the way for approval by March.
Key Takeaways
- Starlink service may launch in South Korea by April.
- Approval from the Ministry of Science and ICT is pending.
- Starlink focuses on high-speed, low-latency internet.
- Local telecom agreements are required for foreign firms.
- Limited impact on local carriers expected.
Seoul, Jan 14 (NationPress) The Starlink satellite internet service from the US-based company SpaceX is anticipated to be operational in South Korea as soon as April, according to industry insiders.
Sources indicate that the Ministry of Science and ICT in Seoul is set to formulate regulations regarding Starlink, which is owned by Elon Musk, for utilizing local frequencies later this week. This move is expected to facilitate the approval of Starlink's operations by March, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
If all goes to plan, residents of South Korea could start utilizing Starlink's services as early as April, following the final approvals from the Ministry of Government Legislation and the Office for Government Policy Coordination.
In 2023, SpaceX set up a subsidiary named Starlink Korea LLC to initiate its services within the nation.
Starlink provides high-speed, low-latency internet access globally via satellites positioned in low Earth orbit.
According to regulations in South Korea, foreign firms must establish a supply agreement with a local telecom operator to offer their communication services in the country.
However, the US-based firm has yet to share a detailed schedule for the service rollout with the ministry, as per the sources.
Industry experts predict that the launch of Starlink's service will have a limited effect on local mobile carriers' core wireless communication offerings for the general populace due to its high costs and relatively slower internet speeds.
Instead, Starlink is likely to concentrate on providing services to airplanes and ships where communication options are restricted. Furthermore, it is expected to make efforts to penetrate South Korea's burgeoning sixth-generation network market, according to the officials.
