HFR, a provider of 5G network solutions, announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with KT SAT to verify and explore the commercialization potential of 3GPP 5G + Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) technology based on GEO (Geostationary Earth Orbit) satellites.

According to the companies, the collaboration focuses on validating interoperability across the physical layer and higher protocol layers, as well as NTN services between satellites, ground stations, and user terminals.

The project combines KT SAT’s GEO satellite and ground infrastructure with HFR’s NTN gateway solutions, including base stations, 5G core network, and network and service management systems.

Through this partnership, the two companies will formally initiate the construction of a domestic NTN testbed.

In particular, HFR and KT SAT plan to conduct extensive testing of 3GPP-standard-based 5G+ NR NTN solutions, covering physical and higher-layer protocols, gateway integration with GEO satellites, interoperability with terminal vendors, and end-to-end NTN service validation.

Beyond technical verification, the scope of cooperation will be expanded to include service development and commercialization initiatives.

The partners will also leverage KT SAT’s current and future GEO satellite assets to design potential commercial 5G+ NR NTN services and share demonstration results.

Based on these outcomes, they will jointly review opportunities in the global satellite and NTN markets and seek ecosystem partnerships with domestic and international NTN terminal vendors.

In addition, the two companies will jointly evaluate the applicability of both GEO and NGSO (Non-Geostationary Satellite Orbit) satellite-based NTN architectures, assessing scalability toward next-generation NTN services.

Under the agreement, KT SAT will support the project by providing satellite bandwidth, ground station operational environments for the test network, and interfaces between the satellite/ground stations and radio units (RUs). HFR will be responsible for deploying gateway systems for the test network, providing technical support, and evaluating satellite gateway functional deployment architectures.

An HFR official stated, “This MOU is significant in that it systematically advances interoperability validation—one of the core challenges of NTN commercialization—and evaluates NTN services based on 3GPP-standardized systems by integrating GEO satellite infrastructure with 5G+ RAN, core, and management technologies.

We will further enhance proof-of-concept demonstrations under 3GPP NR-NTN scenarios and expand collaboration with the global NTN ecosystem beyond the domestic market.”

A KT SAT official commented, “As Korea’s only satellite communications service provider, we are progressively validating the application of 3GPP NTN technologies and the feasibility of customer-driven commercial services based on our operational GEO satellites and ground infrastructure.

Through this collaboration, we will conduct technical demonstrations of NTN base station and terminal interoperability in a GEO satellite environment, while reviewing foundational technologies to strengthen the service competitiveness of next-generation HTS GEO satellites, enable NGSO satellite applications, and support the global expansion of NTN technologies.”