OneWeb successfully completes its constellation of 618 satellites

New Delhi: OneWeb, backed by Bharti Enterprise, successfully completed a constellation of 618 low-orbit satellites, which will make it possible to offer broadband internet services anywhere in the world, PTI reported.

The Indian Space Research Organisation's (ISRO) Launch Vehicle Mark-3(LVM3) put 36 OneWeb satellites in a low earth orbit on Sunday.

"This is the most significant milestone in the history of OneWeb, as we reach the satellites needed for global coverage," Neil Masterson, Chief Executive Officer of OneWeb, said in a statement.

OneWeb on Sunday used ISRO's satellite launch services for the second time. The first batch of 36 OneWeb satellites was launched from Sriharikota on October 23 last year.

"I am particularly proud that OneWeb has crossed the threshold to be able to provide its global coverage in India," Sunil Bharti Mittal, Executive Chairman of OneWeb, said.

On March 9, 40 OneWeb satellites were placed in orbit by SpaceX's Falcon-9 rocket.

The company OneWeb is backed by the British government, Bharti Enterprises, Eutelsat, SoftBank, Hughes Networks and Hanwha. It has launched internet from space services in countries located above 50 degrees north latitude - Alaska, Canada, Greenland, the UK and Northern Europe. It plans to launch services in India later this year and has already acquired the GMPCS (global mobile personal communications by satellite services) permit from the Department of Telecommunications as well as the permission to set up an earth station.

Lt Gen A K Bhatt (retd), Director General, Indian Space Association (ISpA), the industry body for the space sector, told PTI, "Other permissions that are required to be taken are from the Department of Space. We will have clarity on that once the space policy comes out."

According to Bhatt, the Sunday launch was a significant milestone for India towards LEO connectivity and the spread of space-based internet.

"This will surely aid in addressing the issue of low fixed broadband penetration and bridge the digital divide in the country's most remote areas," Bhatt said.

Unlike Starlink, OneWeb is a wholesale provider of internet services through its constellation of satellites. Elon Musk owned SpaceX's Starlink and provided services directly to users.

"We offer our network services to telecommunications companies, Internet Service Providers, enterprises and governments to use our high-speed, low latency service," OneWeb said.

OneWeb had contracted ISRO for the launch of 72 satellites, reportedly at the cost of Rs 1,000 crores after it had to scrap the arrangements with Russia's Soyuz rockets following the Ukraine conflict.