As Starlink, the world’s largest low Earth orbit satellite communication service, officially launched in Korea on Dec. 4, SK Tellink, a Starlink distributor  announced that it has signed a maritime service supply contract with Pan Ocean, a leading domestic shipping company. This marks the fastest large-scale adoption case in the domestic shipping industry and SK Tellink’s first major supply achievement.

Pan Ocean, which operates extensive global routes, considers stable and uninterrupted communication infrastructure essential. The company plans to apply Starlink to its 113 owned vessels as well as ships currently under construction. A Pan Ocean representative said, “The digital transformation strategy we have been pursuing, including real-time vessel operation data sharing, predictive maintenance, and navigation optimization, will gain further momentum,” adding, “Most importantly, it will greatly contribute to resolving digital isolation and improving working conditions for crew members who must stay on ships for extended periods.”

SK Tellink, as the official domestic reseller, provides integrated support from Starlink terminal installation to activation, rate plan provision, and maintenance. The company plans to expand to industrial sectors with high demand, such as shipbuilding, plant and marine engineering, industrial and construction sites, corporate private networks, and disaster safety communications. Lee Shin-yong, head of SK Tellink’s Satellite Business Division, emphasized, “Successfully securing large-scale supply to Pan Ocean’s fleet in line with Starlink Korea’s full-scale service launch serves as a signal for genuine innovation in the domestic maritime communication market.”

Starlink Korea also launched consumer services on this day. The monthly fee for the residential (B2C) rate plan announced through the official website is 87,000 won with unlimited data. The equipment package, including antenna and router necessary for data transmission and reception, costs 550,000 won. New subscribers are offered a 30-day free trial. Download speeds reach up to 135 Mbps and upload speeds up to 40 Mbps, approaching LTE (4G) levels.

Starlink is a low Earth orbit satellite-based network built by SpaceX that provides ultra-high-speed, low-latency connectivity even in maritime and remote environments. Low Earth orbit satellite communication is next-generation communication technology where hundreds to thousands of satellites orbit at altitudes of 300-1,500 km, circling Earth more than 10 times daily to provide internet service. Users can subscribe to satellite communication services and install antennas that include modem and router functions to access the internet through various devices such as smartphones, tablet PCs, and laptops.

Source:Business Korea