Narrowband  |   Broadband  |   Satellite  |  2026-10-16

NATO Wireless Communications Standards Group Meets in Seoul in First STO Engagement in the Republic of Korea

Source: The Critical Communications Review | Gert Jan Wolf editor

The STO Research Task Group "NATO Wireless Communications Standards Project (NWCSP)" brings together representatives from governments, militaries and industry to standardize next-generation communications technologies.

A research team of the NATO Science and Technology Organization (STO) focused on wireless communications standards met in Seoul this week. It was the first STO engagement held in the Republic of Korea. The meeting was hosted by Korea’s Ministry of National Defense.

The STO Research Task Group, the NATO Wireless Communications Standards Project (NWCSP), brings together representatives from governments, militaries and industry. Its aim is to standardise next-generation communications technologies, such as 5G and 6G for defence use.

Earlier this year, the NATO Standardization Office promulgated a new standard on Cellular Communications for Defence, designated STANAG 5665, Edition 1. The NWCSP developed and delivered the standard in just two years, a new record for NATO standardisation.

This week’s meeting marks a further milestone in the STO’s ongoing engagement with the Republic of Korea, which is one of five STO Science and Technology Enhanced Partnership (STEP) Nations.

The publication of STANAG 5665 reflects the growing role of cellular technologies in defence communications.

The critical communications community is following this area closely as cellular standards are increasingly considered for mission-critical and tactical environments.