HughesNet, the global leader in satellite technology, has recently announced a $190M contract with OneWeb. HughesNet has been involved in the OneWeb project since 2015, when they signed a deal to begin system development for a ground network to support OneWeb satellites. This new deal expands on the original deal, bringing the total partnership to over $300 million dollars.
Currently, HughesNet is the global leader in broadband satellite technology and will help OneWeb expand and support their upcoming network. Oneweb could start offering satellite broadband services as early as 2019!
Right now, HughesNet Gen5 serves more than 100,000 customers and provides 25mbps download speeds, and has plans to have a satellite providing 100mbps speeds by 2021. A partnership with OneWeb will help satellite broadband technology to continue to advance.
OneWeb is a relatively newer company. Founded in 2012 by Greg Wyler, OneWeb has already made a splash in the satellite broadband industry. Oneweb has one goal: to end the digital divide by 2027. Oneweb is currently not live, but they have begun sending 882 satellites to orbit the earth and could start offering worldwide broadband services as early as 2019. They have plans to create a global network of satellites that will be able to provide internet access to everyone.
Right now in some parts of the world, internet access is not available, and OneWeb believes satellite technology is the best way to provide internet to these locations. Richard Branson, the founder of the Virgin Group, is on the board of directors of OneWeb, and has provided support to helping OneWeb accomplish its goal of faster, worldwide internet. Right now, only 50% of the world has access to the internet. It is difficult to get internet to rural areas, and satellite internet is the solution.
HughesNet’s partnership with OneWeb shows that HughesNet is truly the global leader in satellite technology and these partnerships will help provide their customers with better internet access.
About the Author: Patrick Tasner is a blogger that focuses on keeping the public informed about the ever-changing TV and Internet industries. Featured on a wide range of blogs, some of his favorites include satelliteforinternet.com, planetdish.com, and hometechscoop.com.