ARLINGTON, Va. � During a recent open meeting the FCC approved OneWeb�s request to deploy a global network of 720 low-Earth orbit satellites using the Ka (20/30 GHz) and Ku (11/14 GHz) frequency bands.
�The Order and Declaratory Ruling adopted today outlines the conditions under which OneWeb will be permitted to provide service using its proposed NGSO FSS satellite constellation in the United States.� As such, this FCC action provides a blueprint for the earth station licenses that OneWeb, or its partners, will need to obtain before providing OneWeb�s proposed service in the United States,� the FCC said in a release.
OneWeb is the third major venture from engineer and entrepreneur Greg Wyler, who has been working to �connect the unconnected� in Africa and elsewhere for almost two decades, according to fiercewireless.com. Facebook�s Mark Zuckerberg and Tesla�s Elon Musk have discussed the possibility of global, satellite-powered internet as well.� Wyler�s OneWeb boasts almost $2 billion in funding from the likes of Qualcomm, Bharti, Coca Cola, Hughes, Virgin Group and Japan�s SoftBank, the majority owner.�
The company will eventually provide internet connectivity to up to 1 billion subscribers worldwide via download speeds of up to 200 Mbps, upload speeds of up to 50 Mbps and lower latency that existing services, according to the same article. OneWeb recently said that it anticipates its first satellites will be in orbit and operational in less than a year.
Arianespace will deploy the satellites, utilizing Soyuz launch pads from�Guiana Space Center, Baikonur and additional launch pads from Russia to ensure the timely deployment, according to this press release. �The unique capability of being able to achieve near polar orbit from multiple launch sites using a common launcher along with its proven industrial production were instrumental in the Soyuz selection as a key resource to deploy the constellation on schedule,� according to Arianespace.��
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