Context: Recently, the OneWeb’s Low Earth Orbit (LEO) constellation reached 218 in-orbit satellites following the successful launch of 36 satellites.
About OneWeb
- It is a global communications company that aims to deliver broadband satellite Internet around the world through its fleet of LEO satellites.
- The OneWeb satellites are built at an OneWeb and Airbus joint venture facility in Florida that can produce up to two satellites a day.
- The launch roll-out of the satellites is facilitated by French company Arianespace using Russian made Soyuz rockets.
- The company has announced plans to enter the Indian market by 2022.
Low Earth Orbit (LEO) technology
- The LEO satellites have been orbiting the planet since the 1990s, providing companies and individuals with various communication services.
- The LEO satellites are positioned around 500km-2000km from earth, compared to stationary orbit satellites which are approximately 36,000km away.
- As LEO satellites orbit closer to the earth, they are able to provide stronger signals and faster speeds than traditional fixed-satellite systems.
- They also have the potential to rival if not exceed existing ground-based networks because signals travel faster through space than through fibre-optic cables.
- LEO satellites travel at a speed of 27,000 kph and complete a full circuit of the planet in 90-120 minutes.
- It implies that individual satellites can only make direct contact with a land transmitter for a short period of time thus requiring massive LEO satellite fleets.
Indian satellite internet market
- The acquisition of OneWeb by Bharati Limited could arguably give it a distinct advantage in India and parts of Africa.
- The Starlink and OneWeb aim to launch in India by 2022, with Amazon’s Project Kuiper also in talks to receive regulatory approval to operate in the country.
- Over 70% of rural Indians do not have access to the Internet, a problem that is particularly worrisome given the increasing need for digital integration in the fields of education and banking.
- The barriers to entry and elevated prices will make it difficult for satellite broadband companies to operate in India in the short term.