Starlink rival OneWeb to roll out global satellite internet coverage after successful launch of 36 additional satellites

OneWeb, the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications startup, is planning to roll out coverage globally after its successful launch of the final batch of satellites needed for its broadband service this past weekend.

On Sunday morning, the British space startup and Elon Musk’s Starlink rival, launched an additional 36 satellites from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, India, bringing its total constellation so far to 618 satellites. The satellites were launched at 9 a.m. local time Sunday on an LVM3 rocket developed by India’s state-owned NewSpace India Limited.

The launch comes exactly a year after OneWeb partnered with Musk’s space company to launch satellites with SpaceX after suspending ties with the Russian agency.

“This means that we will be able to provide what has been missing for a long period of time: high-speed, low latency broadband connectivity onto every ocean-going vessel — yachts, maritime industry, oil rigs offshore — every aircraft will now be connected with a high speed, low latency connectivity,” OneWeb Chairman Sunil Bharti Mittal said on a call with reporters Monday morning.

“Desert, forest, mountain, Himalayas — hard-to-reach areas will all start to get covered.”

Over the years, the demand for OneWeb’s broadband connectivity services has grown across telecommunications providers, aviation and maritime markets, and governments worldwide. OneWeb has activated service with its network at the 50th parallel and above, and early partners are initiating service.

Founded in 2011 by Greg Wyler, its mission is to address the most demanding global connectivity challenges and sudden infrastructure crises. OneWeb is the first to launch a 5G network in space. Its mission is to enable Internet access for everyone, everywhere. OneWeb is building a communications network with a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites that will provide connectivity to billions of people around the world. Its high-speed, low-latency network will offer game-changing mobility solutions to industries that rely on global connectivity.

OneWeb’s 648 LEO satellite fleet will deliver high-speed, low-latency global connectivity. Its partnership with Eutelsat, a global geostationary satellite operator, will enhance both companies’ commercial potential, leveraging Eutelsat’s established commercial reach to governments and enterprise customers in addition to its strong institutional relationships, recognized technical expertise, and global fleet. OneWeb’s ability to address multiple applications requiring low latency and ubiquity will also allow both companies to explore GEO/LEO configurations for future service integrations and packages.