OneWeb will soon be launching a satellite internet service, similar to what SpaceX’s Starlink is offering. Both services use satellites in low-Earth orbit to beam broadband internet from space. UK-based OneWeb is confirmed to have launched 34 internet satellites bringing its total to 288 satellites.
The company said the latest launch puts its plans back on track to roll out a global internet service by 2022, with a fleet of 648 satellites. Earlier, by the end of this year, OneWeb hopes to launch a trial service in some areas of Canada and Alaska. OneWeb’s latest launch happened aboard an Arianespace Soyuz rocket from Kazakhstan.
More satellites waiting to be launched
In a press release, the company said it’s witnessing growing interest from telecommunications providers, ISPs, and governments in its internet service that will provide high-speed internet to remote areas on Earth.
OneWeb sent its first batch of satellites to orbit in February 2019, almost one year before its second launch. Since then, it has scaled up launches at an average of one launch a month. The next launch is said to happen in September, where the company will send 34 satellites.
OneWeb will be going in direct competition with SpaceX and its already running Starlink beta service, which has more than 1,700 internet satellites in orbit. Starlink is currently serving in 12 countries, with customers required to pay a one-time fee of $499 for the Starlink kit and $99 every month for the service.
Amazon not far behind
Besides, Amazon also has similar plans. The company will be launching more than 3,200 satellites for its Project Kuiper constellation. OneWeb had to go through a lot before getting where it is today. In less than a decade of its inception, the company filed for bankruptcy after failing to secure the necessary funds to complete its satellite constellation.
However, just eight months later a rescue package arranged by the British government and Indian multinational company Bharti Global allowed the company to get back on its feet. We might soon have the satellite internet services running in India as well, once they are up and running.
