Eutelsat OneWeb (formerly OneWeb) is a satellite communications company aiming to bridge the digital divide by providing high-speed, low-latency broadband internet services globally via a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite constellation. As a subsidiary of Eutelsat Group, it focuses on delivering connectivity solutions to governments, enterprises, and communities in underserved areas, as well as to the maritime and aviation sectors. Key partners include distribution partners, Airbus (through OneWeb Satellites, a joint venture for satellite manufacturing), and technology providers like Microsoft Azure and AWS for network peering.
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OneWeb’s first-generation constellation will operate 648 satellites in low Earth orbit (LEO).
OneWeb-1078 was launched on 2021-03-25 and was headed for an orbit at an altitude of 1,200 km.
OneWeb emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November with a $1,000,000,000 investment from Bharti and a $1,000,000,000 investment from the British government, each owning 42.2% at the time.
Eutelsat is paying $550,000,000 to buy a 24% stake in OneWeb.
Following Eutelsat’s investment, OneWeb needs to raise about $500,000,000 to complete its constellation.
Eutelsat’s investment leaves OneWeb almost fully funded and the company is well advanced in securing its remaining funding needs in 2021.
OneWeb expects to provide global services with a constellation of 650 satellites in 2022 to enterprise, government, maritime, and aviation customers.
Eutelsat Communications will invest $550,000,000 in OneWeb for the subscription of a circa 24% equity stake, becoming a leading shareholder alongside the UK Government and Bharti Global.
OneWeb’s first-generation satellites will provide significant regional coverage by the end of 2021 and reach global coverage in 2022.
Part of Eutelsat’s investment in OneWeb will be funded by $507,000,000 that Eutelsat received from clearing C-band spectrum in the United States for terrestrial 0.005 kg networks.
OneWeb aims to launch two additional batches of 36 satellites by June to expand coverage north of 50 degrees latitude including the United Kingdom, Alaska, Northern Europe, Greenland, Iceland, the Arctic Seas, and Canada.
OneWeb’s LEO constellation is designed to offer low-latency connectivity.
OneWeb raised $350,000,000 from SoftBank on 2021-01-15 and $50,000,000 from Hughes Network Systems.
The closing of Eutelsat’s $550,000,000 investment in OneWeb is expected in H2 2021 subject to regulatory authorizations.
OneWeb expects to generate around $1,000,000,000 in annual revenues within three to five years after deploying its full constellation.
Soyuz Flight ST31 orbited 36 new OneWeb satellites on Monday, 2021-04-26 at 07:14 a.m. local time at Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome (22:14 UTC on 2021-04-25).
OneWeb Satellites produced the Flight ST31 satellites in Florida, USA, in manufacturing facilities that can build up to two satellites per day on a series production line dedicated to spacecraft assembly, integration, and testing.
Arianespace has an amended launch contract with OneWeb to perform 13 more Soyuz launches through 2021 and 2022.
Proposals for OneWeb’s innovation challenge are due before 2021-05-17 and awards for the challenge will be announced on 2021-06-21.
Arianespace can deploy the OneWeb constellation using Soyuz launch sites in French Guiana, Kazakhstan, and Russia.