Key Points
- SpaceX may launch its Starlink satellite internet service in South Korea in early 2025.
- The Ministry of Science and ICT has notified revisions to regulations to facilitate Starlink’s entry.
- A six-month review period is required before a deal between SpaceX and Starlink Korea can be approved.
- Starlink offers high-speed, low-latency internet via low-Earth orbit satellites.
According to industry sources on Tuesday, SpaceX, the U.S.-based aerospace company, is expected to launch its Starlink satellite internet service in South Korea early next year. The potential launch follows regulatory revisions initiated by the South Korean Ministry of Science and ICT, critical to approving SpaceX’s satellite-based internet service.
The sources revealed that the Ministry of Science and ICT had already notified the necessary revisions to the relevant regulations, which would pave the way for Starlink’s operations in the country. A formal approval process will commence after a six-month review period, during which authorities will assess the agreement between SpaceX and its local subsidiary, Starlink Korea.
Once all required administrative procedures are completed, Starlink in Korea will launch in early 2025, offering residents access to high-speed, satellite-based internet. Starlink’s unique system employs a constellation of low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellites to provide users with high-speed, low-latency internet access, even in remote or underserved regions.
Starlink has gained global recognition for its ability to provide reliable internet connectivity in areas where traditional internet infrastructure is limited or unavailable. The technology can be a game-changer for users in rural or mountainous South Korea, where internet access can be inconsistent.
Though SpaceX has not yet commented on the exact timeline for the service’s availability in Korea, industry experts suggest that the approval process will likely proceed smoothly, given the science ministry’s active involvement in revising regulations to accommodate satellite internet services.
The upcoming launch would mark a significant step for SpaceX as it continues to expand Starlink’s global reach. The company has already launched thousands of Starlink satellites into orbit. It continues to grow its network, providing internet services in countries including the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe.
In South Korea, Starlink could benefit individual consumers, businesses, disaster response teams, and government agencies requiring secure, high-speed internet in remote locations. The introduction of Starlink aligns with South Korea’s ongoing efforts to improve connectivity and technological infrastructure across the country, particularly as it looks to adopt more advanced 5G and 6G technologies.
As SpaceX prepares to enter the Korean market, consumers and businesses alike are watching closely for further announcements about pricing and service availability.
