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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After those launches, OneWeb will pause before deciding a schedule for launching 60 spares to complete the 648-satellite first-generation constellation.
OneWeb’s deployment of nearly 650 global broadband satellites is slated to begin with a launch carrying 34 satellites built at OneWeb’s Florida factory.
A Soyuz rocket launched 34 small broadband satellites for OneWeb from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan.
OneWeb experienced a larger-than-expected learning curve transitioning from building the first 10 satellites at an Airbus factory in France to producing two satellites per day at the Florida factory.
FCC Chairman Ajit Pai responded to Senator Kaine on 2020-01-14 and indicated the FCC continues to work on OneWeb’s modification request and is considering how an increase in the number of satellites may impact licensees of the first processing round.
Pacific Dataport, an Alaska-based company, is one of OneWeb’s first customers and expects to start offering OneWeb satellite internet in the fourth quarter of 2020.
The FCC approved two gateway ground stations for OneWeb in 2019 and is reviewing three additional gateway ground station applications for OneWeb.
OneWeb filed a letter with the FCC on 2020-01-24 that was posted on the commission’s website on 2020-01-27 stating it will need to arrange more launches to continue expanding its constellation after 2021.
OneWeb sought to modify its FCC application in March 2018 after the FCC relaxed its deadlines for satellite operators to keep their market access rights.
OneWeb has secured rides to orbit for roughly 720 satellites with Arianespace on 20 Soyuz rockets and the inaugural flight of the Ariane 6 planned for late 2020.
The next 34 OneWeb satellites are scheduled to launch on 2020-02-07.
If approved, OneWeb’s application for 1,260 additional satellites would allow OneWeb to provide internet access in the United States with a total of 1,980 satellites.
Eric Graham, OneWeb’s head of regulatory affairs for North America, met with FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly and other FCC staff on 2020-01-22 and 2020-01-23 to discuss the licensing issue.
OneWeb first applied for Ku- and Ka-band satellite frequencies with the FCC in April 2016, triggering 11 additional applications that included SpaceX, SES, and Kepler Communications.
Arianespace’s first Ariane 6 mission will launch 30 small broadband satellites for OneWeb during the fourth quarter of 2020.
OneWeb’s 2020 launch campaign to place 650 small broadband satellites in low Earth orbit begins with a launch planned for February 2020 from the Baikonur Cosmodrome.
The Ariane 6 maiden flight will use the Ariane 62 configuration with two strap-on solid-rocket boosters and will carry 30 satellites for OneWeb.
OneWeb plans a 1,980-satellite constellation, Amazon is preparing a 3,236-satellite constellation, and Telesat is designing a roughly 300-satellite broadband network.
OneWeb’s planned megaconstellation satellites each weigh roughly 150 kg and the constellation was planned to include 650 satellites.
LeoSat formed in 2013 at the start of a wave of low-Earth-orbit constellation activity that included OneWeb, SpaceX, Telesat, and Amazon/Project Kuiper.