SK Telink, Korea Electric Power Corp. (KEPCO) and Starlink Korea have launched a three-way partnership to deploy low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications technology across Korea’s power infrastructure, aiming to strengthen emergency communications capabilities during natural disasters and network outages.
The companies said the initiative will begin at KEPCO’s headquarters in Naju and expand in phases toward a nationwide emergency communications network covering all 15 regional headquarters.
The project is being positioned as a model for integrating global satellite communications technology into Korea’s public infrastructure systems.
KEPCO operates thousands of facilities nationwide, including headquarters, regional offices, substations and field work sites. Maintaining communications during emergencies such as typhoons, wildfires and large-scale power outages has long been a challenge because terrestrial networks can be disrupted.
The partners said LEO satellite systems provide a physically independent communications path that remains available even when ground-based infrastructure is damaged.
Unlike traditional geostationary satellite services, LEO satellite networks enable real-time access to monitoring systems, video surveillance feeds and operational management platforms.
The first phase of the project has already been completed, connecting KEPCO’s headquarters and two regional offices through a combination of Starlink connectivity and internet telephony services under a two-year agreement.
A second pilot phase is underway in the North Gyeongsang and Gangwon regions, where vehicle-mounted and portable satellite terminals are being tested in mountainous and remote locations. The final phase calls for a nationwide deployment of fixed, mobile and vehicle-mounted systems across all 15 KEPCO regional headquarters.
Under the partnership, Starlink Korea will provide access to its global satellite network and service specifications. SK Telink will handle integrated operations, including internet telephony, fixed IP services, terminal supply, maintenance and security support, while KEPCO will define operational requirements and oversee pilot projects within the power network environment.
The companies described the initiative as more than a satellite connectivity project, saying it represents a localized communications model tailored to the operational and security requirements of public utilities and critical energy infrastructure.
SK Telink said the approach could later be expanded to public-sector, defense and industrial facilities.
