Hanwha Systems pursues space internet service

South Korea's Hanwha Systems Co. on Tuesday announced completion of its registration the day before as a facility-based communications operator with the Ministry of Science and ICT.

The company passed the screening about a month after applying for registration on June 5.

This credential allows Hanwha Systems to enter the satellite communications market for business-to-government and business-to-business (B2B) transactions.

As a facility-based communications operator with no line facilities, the company will start space internet service featuring high-speed internet via low-orbit communications networks.

Hanwha Systems will first set up such a network for military use.

The company said it is working on a blueprint of connecting the entire battlefield by sharing on-site situational data detected in real time by synthetic-aperture radar satellites using low-orbit satellite communications and ground networks.

In addition, it will advance into B2B communication services usable in aircraft, sea vessels, trains, vehicles and urban air mobility aircraft (UAM).

Hanwha Systems has set up satellite communications antennas in remote areas where internet access is difficult, at sea or in the air and continued to invest in electronically steered antennas, which can receive stable 24-hour space internet service low-orbit satellites.

The company is also developing technologies in advanced on-board processor and inter-satellite link that enable direct communication between terminals without the need for a ground station.

"Hanwha Systems is evolving into a global hyperspace network company based on its unrivaled defense, communications and radar technology capabilities," said Kim Jung-ho, head of Hanwha Systems' aerospace unit. "We will quickly build a low-orbit communications network for military use and offer satellite Internet of Things services in a variety of fields like UAM."

Write to Hyung-Kyu Kim at khk@hankyung.com