Fiber-like connectivity will be available across the entire Arctic from 2020 thanks to a network of low-orbit satellites.
Several satellite providers have announced plans to expand services into the Arctic, but OneWeb says it is the only operator capable of delivering true high-speed, low-latency internet across the region at substantially lower cost than existing options and ahead of other planned systems.
OneWeb’s constellation is designed to deliver 375 Gbps of capacity to every nation above the 60th parallel north. Today, about 48 percent of the Arctic has some form of connectivity; OneWeb promises continuous, 24-hour service across the remaining 52 percent.
Beginning in 2020, millions of residents, workers and visitors throughout the Arctic will gain access to broadband—many for the first time. Hundreds of thousands of homes, aircraft and vessels are expected to receive high-speed, low-latency connections that support modern communications and services.
“Connectivity is critical in our modern economy,” said U.S. Senator for Alaska Lisa Murkowski. “As the Arctic opens, ensuring the people of the Arctic have access to affordable and reliable broadband will make development safer, more sustainable and create new opportunities for the next generation leading in this dynamic region of the globe.”
Valued at approximately $3.2 billion, OneWeb’s satellite network is positioned to enable smart cities, autonomous transport and a range of other advanced services in a region where those innovations were previously impractical due to limited infrastructure.
“Connectivity is now an essential utility and a basic human right,” said Adrian Steckel, CEO of OneWeb. “Our constellation will offer universal high-speed Arctic coverage sooner than any other proposed system, meeting the need for widespread connectivity across the Arctic.”
Early demonstrations with OneWeb’s first six satellites achieved latencies under 40 milliseconds. In a recent test, the satellites streamed HD video to show the network’s capacity and responsiveness.
Substantial operational connectivity in the Arctic was scheduled to begin toward the end of 2020, with full 24-hour coverage expected by early 2021. OneWeb has already started providing service in parts of Norway and Alaska.
Interested in hearing industry leaders discuss topics like this? Attend co-located events such as the IoT Tech Expo, Blockchain Expo, AI & Big Data Expo and Cyber Security & Cloud Expo World Series, which hold conferences in locations including Silicon Valley, London and Amsterdam.