PR90430

LONDON, July 2, 2021 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

    --  OneWeb confirms successful launch and contact with all 36 satellites

        launched earlier today, bringing total in-orbit constellation to 254

        satellites

    --  High-speed connectivity to be available from the North Pole to the 50th

        parallel -- includes the United Kingdom, Canada, Alaska and Arctic

        Region

    --  On track for full global coverage by June 2022 with a LEO constellation

        of 648 satellites

OneWeb, the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications company, today

announced the successful launch of another 36 satellites to mark the completion

of its 'Five to 50' mission. With this major milestone, the Company is ready to

deliver connectivity across the United Kingdom, Canada, Alaska, Northern

Europe, Greenland, and the Arctic Region.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1556284/OneWeb_Launch.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1475016/OneWeb_Logo.jpg

The latest launch takes OneWeb's in-orbit constellation to 254 satellites, or

40% of OneWeb's planned fleet of 648 LEO satellites that will deliver

high-speed, low-latency global connectivity. OneWeb intends to make global

service available in 2022.

Service demonstrations will begin this summer in several key locations --

including Alaska and Canada -- as OneWeb prepares for commercial service in the

next six months. Offering enterprise-grade connectivity services, the Company

has already announced distribution partnerships across several industries and

businesses including with BT, ROCK Network, AST Group, PDI, Alaska

Communications and others, as OneWeb expands its global capabilities. The

Company continues to engage with telecommunications providers, ISPs, and

governments worldwide to offer its low-latency, high-speed connectivity

services and sees growing demand for new solutions to connect the hardest to

reach places.

The launch of the latest 36 satellites was conducted by Arianespace from the

Vostochny Cosmodrom. Liftoff occurred on 1 July at 13:48 BST. OneWeb's

satellites separated from the rocket and were dispensed in 9 batches over a

period of 3 hours 52 minutes with signal acquisition on all 36 satellites

confirmed.

The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the Rt. Hon. Boris Johnson, MP, said:

"This latest launch of OneWeb satellites will put high-speed broadband within

reach of the whole Northern Hemisphere later this year, including improving

connectivity in the remotest parts of the UK.

"Backed by the British Government, OneWeb proves what is possible when public

and private investment come together, putting the UK at the forefront of the

latest technologies, opening up new markets, and ultimately transforming the

lives of people around the world."

Sunil Bharti Mittal, Founder and Chairman of Bharti Enterprises, Executive

Chairman of OneWeb, said: "Today's momentous milestone demonstrates that OneWeb

is now a leader in LEO broadband connectivity, serving a wide range of

stakeholders across the Northern Hemisphere. This fifth launch amid the

unprecedented global pandemic is truly remarkable and I congratulate the

management team and fellow shareholders on the success.

"Bharti's doubling of its investment earlier this week is testament to the

commitment to OneWeb's mission. We now look forward to the next chapter in

OneWeb's story, preparing the company for commercial service in the less than

six months to deliver our global connectivity solutions to communities around

the world."

The Rt. Hon. Kwasi Kwarteng, MP, Secretary of State, BEIS, added: "Today's

launch is an exciting milestone in providing some of the world's most remote

locations with fast, UK-backed broadband less than a year since British

government investment made this possible. With yet another successful mission,

the people of the UK can be proud that this country is at the heart of the

latest advances in small satellite technology.

"OneWeb's coverage across the Northern Hemisphere now puts the United Kingdom

at the forefront of the latest developments in Low Earth Orbit technology, and

we will capitalise on the company's unique position within this growing market

to build a strong domestic space industry and cement our status as a global

science and technology superpower."

Neil Masterson, OneWeb CEO, said: "This is a truly historic moment for OneWeb,

the culmination of months of positive momentum in our 'Five to 50' programme,

increased investment from our global partners and the rapid onboarding of new

customers. We are incredibly excited to start delivering high-speed,

low-latency connectivity first to the UK and the Arctic region and to see our

network scale over the coming months as we continue building to global service.

Thanks to all our incredible partners who have been with us on this journey and

are instrumental to making OneWeb's mission a success."

Webcast playback

Launch highlights available

View on OneWeb YouTube

Launch Imagery

Launch #8 Media Kit

Launch Partner

Arianespace and Glavkosmos

Launch Facility

Soyuz Launch Complex, Vostochny Cosmodrome

About OneWeb            

OneWeb is a global communications network powered from space, headquartered in

London, enabling connectivity for governments, businesses, and communities. It

is implementing a constellation of Low Earth Orbit satellites with a network of

global gateway stations and a range of user terminals to provide an affordable,

fast, high-bandwidth and low-latency communications service, connected to the

IoT future and a pathway to 5G for everyone, everywhere. Find out more at

http://www.oneweb.world

SOURCE: OneWeb

CONTACT: OneWeb Media Enquiries, Group, Chris McLaughlin,

cmclaughlin@oneweb.net, M: + 447870 374795; UK, Europe, MENA, APAC, Tabitha

Aldrich-Smith, Taldrich-smith@oneweb.net, M: +44 7970 44029; USA, Latin

America, Canada, Katie Dowd, kdowd@oneweb.net, M: +1 202 415 4030; Finsbury

Glover Hering, Humza Vanderman, Lyle Hill, OneWeb-LON@Finsbury.com