LG Innotek Launches First 5G Automotive Satellite Module

Seoul, South Korea - LG Innotek has announced the development of an automotive 5G communication module that supports satellite connectivity, described by the company as the first of its kind.

The module operates on 5G broadband satellite communication over approximately 30 megahertz bandwidth, the company said. 

Existing satellite communication modules operate on narrowband channels with a bandwidth of approximately 0.2 megahertz, and data transmission speeds are limited to several hundred kilobits per second.

LG Innotek said its module achieves data transmission speeds of tens of megabits per second and reduces latency from several seconds to several hundred milliseconds compared to existing modules.

The component enables vehicles to maintain communication via satellite when terrestrial base stations are unavailable, including in remote areas or regions where communication infrastructure has been damaged, according to the company.

The module complies with Release 17 standards from the 3rd Generation Partnership Project, which LG Innotek said extends 5G technology to non-terrestrial networks, including satellites.

Mass production is scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026. The company said it is promoting the product to automakers in North America and Japan.

"The vehicular communication module is a core business that will drive LG Innotek's automotive components segment, alongside automotive lighting," said Byaeng Kuk Yoo, head of the company's Automotive Components Business Unit. 

The company aims to develop the vehicle communication module segment into a business worth more than $800 million, according to Yoo.

LG Innotek cited industry projections showing that vehicles equipped with 5G communication modules are expected to increase from 4 million in 2024 to 75 million by 2032, representing a 43 percent compound annual growth rate.

The company has been developing vehicular communication technologies since 2005 and has previously released vehicle 5G communication modules and a digital key solution.

LG Innotek stated that automotive 5G communication modules are installed in vehicles to facilitate data communication with network infrastructure and are utilized in software-defined vehicles and autonomous driving systems.