WorldVu Satellites Limited (OneWeb), in collaboration with Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group, has announced plans to build, launch and operate a "constellation" of low-orbit satellites that will help provide Internet and telephony services to billions of people around the world.
Specifically, as stated in a related announcement, Qualcomm Incorporated and The Virgin Group are the initial investors. No details of the agreement were disclosed, with OneWeb planning to bring additional investors to the venture.
According to the International Telecommunications Union, at the end of 2014, more than half of the world's population lacked access to the Internet. OneWeb was founded in 2012 under the name WorldVu and "hopes to bring high-speed Internet and telephony to people living in underserved areas."
As stated in a related announcement, OneWeb's satellite system introduces "the first telecommunications-class microsatellites. This planned fleet of 648 microsatellites intends to provide low-latency, high-speed Internet access directly to small user terminals around the world.".
OneWeb's system will expand the networks of mobile operators worldwide, allowing them to provide coverage in rural and remote areas that have traditionally been difficult to connect to conventional networks. The company plans to partner with local companies to provide such access, with terminals operating as small "cells" with the ability to cover the surrounding area with WiFi, LTE, 3G or 2G connections.
The goal is to provide users with terminals that are easy to install, while plans also include use in emergency situations in disaster-stricken areas, refugee camps, etc.
At the same time, OneWeb also announced the choice of the first launch vehicle, which will be none other than Virgin Galactic's LauncherOne.
In his own announcement, Sir Richard Branson states that "we have the largest order in history for launching satellites into space. When the second 'constellation' is deployed, the company will have launched more satellites than there are currently in the sky.".
Source: naftemporiki.gr
