OneWeb has announced that it will be bringing high-speed low-latency internet service to the Arctic, set to offer a “fiber-like” connectivity to the region with service starting in 2020.
Revealing the details, OneWeb said its connectivity would offer the fastest internet service in the Arctic and would be the first to provide full coverage to the region.
The company will deliver 375 Gbps of capacity above the 60th parallel North. Service will start in 2020 and aims to provide enough capacity to give fiber-like connectivity to homes, airlines and boats across the Arctic.
OneWeb says it’s “dense, flexible” coverage of polar-orbiting satellites, coupled with its high-speed service and low latency capabilities will provide “a superior connectivity experience” to the 48% of the Arctic currently without broadband coverage.
Last month the company showcased the system’s capabilities through HD video streaming tests with its first six satellites showcasing low latencies under 40 milliseconds and high speed services.
A global network, OneWeb’s Arctic service aims to provide 200 times more capacity than planned systems. Substantial services will start towards the end of 2020, with full 24-hour coverage being provided by early 2021, supplying blanket coverage to the Arctic Circle.
Adrian Steckel, OneWeb chief executive officer, called connectivity an “essential utility” and added: “Our constellation will offer universal high-speed Arctic coverage sooner than any other proposed system meeting the need for widespread connectivity across the Arctic.”
The company said its seamless global network will facilitate connected aviation, along with providing other benefits to the region.
OneWeb is already active in Norway and Alaska, where its ground antennas are set to be fully operational by January 2020 to serve the Arctic region.
