Plans to build, launch and operate a 'constellation' of low-orbit satellites to help deliver services Internet and telephony to billions of people around the world announced WorldVu Satellites Limited (OneWeb), in collaboration with Sir Richard Branson's Virgin Group.
In particular, according to a relevant announcement, Qualcomm Incorporated and The Virgin Group are the initial investors. No details were released about the deal, with OneWeb planning to bring in additional investors.
Σύμφωνα με την International Telecommunications Union, κατά τα τέλη του 2014, πάνω από τον μισό πληθυσμό του πλανήτη στερούνταν access on Internet. OneWeb was founded in 2012 under the name WorldVu and "hopes to bring high-quality Internet and telephony speeds to people living in deprived areas.
According to a relevant announcement, the OneWeb satellite system presents "the first micro-satellites in the telecommunication category. This planned fleet of 648 microsatellites aims to provide low-latency, high-speed Internet access directly to small user terminals around the world.
OneWeb's system will expand the networks of mobile providers worldwide, allowing them to provide coverage in rural and remote areas, which were traditionally difficult to connect to conventional networks. The company plans to work with local companies to provide such access, with terminals operating as small "cells" with the ability to cover the surrounding area with WiFi, LTE, 3G or 2G connections.
The aim is to provide users τερματικών που εγκαθίστανται εύκολα, ενώ στα σχέδια περιλαμβάνεται και η χρήση στο πλαίσιο καταστάσεων έκτακτης ανάγκης σε περιοχές που έχουν πληγεί από καταστροφές, σε στρατόπεδα προσφύγων κ.α.
At the same time, OneWeb announced the choice of the first launch vehicle, which will be none other than Virgin Galactic LauncherOne.
In his own announcement, Sir Richard Branson says that “we have the largest order in history to launch satellites into space. When the second 'constellation' is deployed, the company will have launched more satellites than are currently in the sky."
Source: naftemporiki.gr
