OneWeb currently has a constellation of 618 LEO satellites
Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications company OneWeb has been selected for two broadband trials in the U.K. as part of the government’s Very Hard to Reach Premises connectivity program, which aims to deliver connectivity to remote locations.
LEO satellites orbit between 250-2000 kilometers above the Earth’s surface and have the potential to bring internet connectivity to places that fixed and mobile networks cannot or do not reach due to terrain or economic reasons. This makes these non-terrestrial networks a serious ally in the fight to close the digital divide.
According to Michelle Donelan, member of Parliament and secretary of state for science, innovation and technology, the U.K. government is committing £8m to provide satellite connectivity for its most remote communities as part of its Wireless Infrastructure Strategy. The goal is make sure that “no one is left behind” and that by 2030, all populated areas in the UK will be served by what she referred to as “5G-plus” technology.
“This package of measures turbocharges our progress towards becoming a science and tech superpower with a substantial initial investment in the future of telecoms,” Donelan added.
The trials will take place in the Shetland Islands and on Lundy Island, where OneWeb’s LEO network will deliver connectivity for trials through partners BT and Clarus. “We are excited to demonstrate the impact of LEO connectivity through these trials. From the beginning, OneWeb’s mission has been to bridge the digital divide for communities, but there are still countries around the world where reliable access to connectivity is unattainable. Working with the government, alongside our trusted partners and customers, OneWeb can help to bring connectivity to the communities and businesses that need it most, in underserved regions in the UK and around the world,” commented Neil Masterson, OneWeb CEO.
OneWeb currently has a constellation of 618 LEO satellites, and expects to achieve global coverage later this year. The company already delivers community broadband to remote locations across Canada, Greenland and will soon have coverage in the British territories in the South Atlantic.
