KT SAT, South Korea”s leading satellite communications operator, and SKY Perfect JSAT Corporation, Japan”s foremost satellite service provider, have announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) aimed at the joint development and testing of non-terrestrial network (NTN) technologies for 5G. This agreement, disclosed on October 29, 2025, focuses on preparing for the future commercialization of GEO-based 5G NTN services.
Through this collaboration, both companies aim to enhance the technical validation of GEO-based NTN user and ground equipment, establishing a reference architecture for seamless 5G NTN operations utilizing Ka and Ku band frequencies. The partnership emphasizes promoting interoperability of open standards while strengthening ties with global technology providers.
The collaboration will involve coordinated research initiatives to validate the performance of the 5G NTN system in real-world operational environments using GEO satellites. This includes conducting joint tests with shared 5G NTN testbeds, defining reference architectures for ground gNB/5GC systems and user equipment (UE) compliant with 3GPP standards, and exchanging data and system parameters to improve technical alignment.
Additionally, SKY Perfect JSAT intends to leverage its established “Universal NTN Innovation Laboratory” for this research and development effort. The two companies also plan to explore interoperability and roaming capabilities between their respective GEO satellite networks, aiming to evolve this partnership into a Global NTN Alliance, which will broaden collaboration with international satellite operators and ecosystem partners to expedite the commercialization of 5G NTN.
By creating a global 5G NTN ecosystem through the interoperability of open standards, this alliance is expected to yield mutual benefits for end-users and satellite operators alike. The expanded ecosystem will drive economies of scale in terminal production, making 5G NTN terminals more affordable and accessible to a wider range of customers worldwide.
This collaboration is also poised to strengthen mutual resilience and disaster preparedness capabilities, allowing both companies to provide communication services during emergencies and natural disasters, thus ensuring uninterrupted connectivity.
“This alliance marks a significant milestone in the development of GEO-based NTN,” stated Youngsoo Peter Seo, CEO of KT SAT. “Building on the achievements of this joint collaboration, KT SAT will actively pursue the commercialization of ground systems and NTN-based terminals to enhance the competitiveness of our next-generation GEO satellite in the global market.”
“We believe this initiative will bring us closer to our goal of a connected world anytime and anywhere,” remarked Eiichi Yonekura, representative director, CEO, and president of SKY Perfect JSAT. “By leveraging the technologies and expertise developed by both companies, we will promote the growth of an integrated 5G NTN ecosystem that connects space and terrestrial networks.”
This announcement will be officially presented during the 6G Mobile Korea 2025 event on October 30.
