KT is expanding its role in international defense communications standards by joining NATO-led discussions on how commercial 5G and emerging 6G technologies can be applied to military networks.
KT said on September 28 that it will participate in the ninth meeting of the NATO Communications and Information Agency’s NWCSP project as the first Korean telecom operator to take part as a 5G and 6G standardization committee member.
The meeting is being held in Seoul from September 28 to October 2 under the auspices of South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense and the Telecommunications Technology Association (TTA). Around 100 officials and experts from defense and government agencies, telecommunications companies and standards organizations are expected to attend.
NWCSP is a civil-military cooperation initiative involving NATO member and partner countries. The project focuses on the use of next-generation mobile technologies in defense communications and the development of related technical standards. The previous, eighth meeting was held in San Diego in May.
KT plans to bring its experience from defense 5G projects to the discussions. The company will share its experience in deploying and operating 5G networks for defense applications and contribute to discussions on guidelines for adopting commercial 5G and future 6G technologies in military communications.
The meeting will also cover the development and deployment of 5G and 6G technologies in participating countries. Standards documents concerning the use of emerging technologies such as satellite communications and wireless backhaul in defense networks will also be reviewed.
Interoperability is expected to be a key issue as military communication systems vary across countries. Establishing common technical standards could help connect different networks and communications technologies while enabling more seamless operation across allied and partner forces.
KT’s participation comes as defense organizations are increasingly exploring commercial telecommunications technologies to enhance network connectivity, mobility and data communications. The transition from 5G toward 6G is also expected to expand discussions around integrated terrestrial and satellite networks and cross-border interoperability.
KT plans to use its participation in NWCSP to strengthen cooperation with South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense, TTA and the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses (KIDA). The company also aims to leverage its network deployment expertise and 5G/6G capabilities to support the international standards efforts of Korea’s telecommunications and defense industries.
Kim Won-tae, executive vice president and head of KT’s Public and Financial Business Division, said, “Applying commercial mobile technologies such as 5G and 6G to defense is a challenge that requires cooperation between the private sector and the defense community.”
“We will use this meeting as an opportunity to further strengthen civil-military cooperation with the Ministry of National Defense and other relevant organizations while actively contributing to international standardization discussions on next-generation defense communications,” he said.
