Key Points
- OneWeb now operates 254 satellites after latest launch from Russia's Vostochny cosmodrome
- Bharti Enterprises holds major stake alongside British government in the satellite company
- Commercial internet services targeting remote regions expected by late 2021
OneWeb, the satellite internet company backed by India’s Bharti Enterprises, launched 36 satellites into orbit on Thursday, bringing its constellation to 254 spacecraft as it races to offer commercial broadband services by late 2021.
The launch from Russia’s Vostochny cosmodrome marks a significant milestone for the company. It now has enough satellites to provide internet connectivity across the entire northern hemisphere above 50 degrees latitude, a geographical line that passes through northern Europe, Canada and Alaska.
For Indian investors and technology watchers, the launch validates Bharti Enterprises’ bet on low Earth orbit satellite internet. The Sunil Mittal-led conglomerate holds a substantial stake in OneWeb alongside the British government, having jointly rescued the company from bankruptcy in late 2020.
What OneWeb’s satellite network will cover
The 36 new satellites will enable OneWeb to deliver internet services to the United Kingdom, Alaska, Northern Europe, Greenland, Iceland, the continental United States, Arctic waters and Canada. These regions include remote areas where traditional ground-based internet infrastructure remains limited or absent.
Low Earth orbit satellites, which circle the planet at altitudes between 300 and 2,000 kilometres, offer lower latency than traditional geostationary satellites. Latency refers to the delay between sending a data request and receiving a response. Lower latency means faster, more responsive internet connections suitable for video calls and real-time applications.
The Soyuz rocket that carried the satellites bore the message ‘Hello North Pole’, reflecting OneWeb’s focus on Arctic connectivity. The energy-rich Arctic region has gained strategic importance as melting ice opens new shipping routes and resource extraction possibilities, creating demand for reliable communications.
Bharti’s investment and OneWeb’s financial recovery
OneWeb filed for bankruptcy protection in March 2020 after its previous backer, Japan’s SoftBank, declined to provide additional funding during the pandemic. The company emerged from bankruptcy in November 2020 with ₹7,400 crore in equity investment from a consortium led by the British government and Bharti Global, Bharti Enterprises’ international investment arm.
Since then, OneWeb has secured additional backing from SoftBank, which returned as an investor, and France’s Eutelsat Communications. Bharti has also provided further financing rounds.
The company confirmed on Tuesday that it is now fully funded, having raised approximately ₹17,800 crore in total capital. This funding runway allows OneWeb to complete its initial constellation and begin commercial operations without seeking additional investment.
Service demonstrations and commercial timeline
OneWeb plans to conduct service demonstrations in Alaska and Canada during the summer months. These trials will test the network’s performance in real-world conditions before commercial services begin.
The company aims to launch commercial operations by the end of 2021, initially serving customers in the northern hemisphere. Full global coverage is expected in 2022, which will require additional satellite launches to cover regions below the 50th parallel, including India.
For Indian users, OneWeb’s global expansion timeline means the service could become available domestically next year. The company will need to secure spectrum licences and regulatory approvals from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) before offering services in the country.
Competition in the satellite internet market
OneWeb competes directly with SpaceX’s Starlink, which has already launched more than 1,700 satellites and begun beta testing in several countries. Amazon’s Project Kuiper, though yet to launch any satellites, plans to deploy over 3,000 spacecraft for its own broadband constellation.
The race to provide satellite-based internet focuses on serving the estimated three billion people globally who lack reliable broadband access. In India alone, hundreds of millions of citizens in rural and remote areas remain underserved by terrestrial internet infrastructure.
OneWeb’s next satellite launch is scheduled for later this year as the company works toward completing its planned 648-satellite constellation.
Your Questions, Answered
When will OneWeb begin commercial internet services?
OneWeb plans to launch commercial services by the end of 2021, initially covering the northern hemisphere above 50 degrees latitude. Full global coverage is expected in 2022.
What is Bharti Enterprises' role in OneWeb?
Bharti Global, the international investment arm of Bharti Enterprises, jointly rescued OneWeb from bankruptcy in November 2020 alongside the British government. Bharti holds a major stake and has provided additional financing rounds.
How many satellites does OneWeb have in orbit?
After the July 2021 launch of 36 satellites, OneWeb operates 254 satellites in low Earth orbit. The company plans to complete a 648-satellite constellation for full global coverage.
Will OneWeb services be available in India?
OneWeb's India launch depends on completing its global constellation in 2022 and securing regulatory approvals from TRAI. The company's Bharti partnership suggests India will be a priority market.
