UK-based low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite network operator OneWeb has signed a couple of channel sales deals. It has a new agreement with UK-based enterprise connectivity provider Momentum to integrate its satellite services with French satellite operator Eutelsat, in order to deliver broader satellite connectivity to the oil and gas market in North America. It has also signed with Connecta Satellite Solutions, a supplier of satellite connectivity solutions to large enterprises and governments in North America.
OneWeb said it completed its “global constellation” earlier this year; the business is nearing “full global connectivity”, it said. At the same time, it has just announced an expansion of its connectivity services through Europe and most of the US as its constellation moves into position and it “scales toward global service”. A statement said: “Satellite powered connectivity through OneWeb is now reaching regions above the latitude of 35 degrees north.” It is already delivering connectivity at 50 degrees north.
It went on: “This expansion became active first at the end of May, adding service to 37 new countries in Europe to OneWeb’s footprint, including Austria, Italy, France and Portugal, as well as the entire western U. coast from Washington to California, northeast coast from Maine to Virginia, and across the Midwest. This expansion also further enhances connectivity across Canada and additional maritime regions as well.”
The firm is looking to ramp-up wholesale agreements, with a mission to “bridge the digital divide” and support IoT services for industry. It listed its service focus as “community broadband, cellular backhaul, enterprise services”. Its new tie-ups with Momentum and Connecta will “open new opportunities for education, healthcare, and economic development… in areas where terrestrial services are not currently available”, it said.
The arrangement with Momentum sees the UK reseller use OneWeb on top of Eutelsat’s ADVANCE connectivity solution, targeting oil & gas projects and facilities across Canada and the US. Momentum is already a customer of Eutelsat, which, consequently, will be distributing OneWeb’s LEO satellite communications services along with its existing connectivity products in a number of key markets, said a statement..
Brad Kossowan, chief operating officer at Momentum, said: “Our enhanced partnership with Eutelsat and OneWeb is a game-changer for oil and gas operators in remote locations. It supports the growing demand for real-time data, monitoring and managing operations on site or remote, crew communications and wellness. Eutelsat’s robust offer for high-end connectivity [and] OneWeb’s global LEO constellation is the perfect complement to our enterprise connectivity services.”
The deal with Connecta is focused on high-speed, low-latency broadband connectivity in the US and Caribbean. The satellite provision will “complement, enhance, and extend” Connecta’s existing services, they said. Marlos Barbosa, chief executive at Connecta, said: “This collaboration will enable us to offer our customers high-speed, low-latency connectivity solutions that will drive innovation and economic growth in underserved areas.”
OneWeb is working with partners to add new ground stations, and is scheduled to complete “full global rollout” of ground stations by the end of the year. “This expansion is a significant step… We are seeing increased demand for our service as we have expanded coverage and grown our portfolio of user terminals for different markets,” said Stephen Beynon, chief customer officer at OneWeb.
