Europe showing ‘interest’ in OneWeb says David Morris

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OneWeb, which is based in London, last week declared itself “financially secure” after raising $2.4billion (£1.73billion) to roll out the remaining 650 satellites in its constellation. The team will now set their sights on completing their global coverage, but the 254 probes launched is already enough to start offering a commercial service to the Northern Hemisphere. The company has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with BT to explore the provision of improved digital communication services to some of the hardest to reach parts of the UK.

OneWeb’s Chief Executive Officer, Neil Masterson, said: “This partnership is a huge sign of progress in the resilience and advancement of the overall telecom infrastructure in the UK. 

“OneWeb’s network will be a vital means for bridging the last digital divides across the network and we are excited to be part of the solution with BT to expand the nation’s digital infrastructure.”

Philip Jansen, Chief Executive of BT, added: “Our ambitious full-fibre and mobile commitments have put BT at the forefront of efforts to expand digital connectivity across the UK. 

“It is clear that greater partnership is needed, both with Government and within the industry, to ensure connectivity can reach every last corner of the country. 

“Our agreement with OneWeb is an important step to understanding how that goal could be achieved in the future.”

Chair of the Parliamentary Space Committee, David Morris MP, has hailed the move as “encouraging”, adding: “The UK LEO is making great progress and has now covered Britain.”

He noted that it “makes sense” that OneWeb capacity should be integrated into the Government’s plans and looks forward to the next step in its journey.

Indian company Bharti Global and the Government jointly bought OneWeb out of Chapter 11 bankruptcy for $1billion (£730million) last year.

The New Delhi-based telecoms company has now invested a further $500million (£362million).

It comes after Paris-based Eutelsat also declared a $550million (£400million) investment, a move which is said to have angered some in Brussels.

Bharti will be the company’s largest shareholder with a 38.6 percent stake, while the Government, Eutelsat, and Japan’s Softbank will each hold 19.3 percent.

The company will now start mapping out plans to cover the whole of the globe.

This move will put them in direct competition with Elon Musk’s Starlink, which now has more than 1,500 satellites in orbit.

And Mr Morris said it could be a monumental step for Brexit Britain, particularly after Chinese firm Huawei was banned from the UK’s 5G network.

He added: “We should be very proud of ourselves already, but the whole point of the Huawei debate was because we wanted to take control of our own security and Internet.

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“It’s all about maintaining our global position now, as well as independence.

“We have been talking with the US for some time about encompassing GPS, too.

“It’s only a matter of time before it starts amalgamating because our allies are in NATO.

“We are now in a position to drive our own agenda.”

It comes after the EU chucked the UK out of its Galileo programme.

The Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) goes live in 2026, and will feature a Public Regulated Service (PRS) that can be used by government agencies, armed forces and emergency services. 

The EU decided this “crucial feature” would only be accessible for bloc members, despite the UK playing an imperative part in its development.

But the UK may have the last laugh, as the EU is said to have made slow progress on creating its own project.

The European Commission launched an initiative in December to study the feasibility of a Brussels-backed space-based communications system, but it is said to be “weeks away” from concluding.

A European programme would aim to secure connectivity for citizens, commercial enterprises and public institutions, focusing on covering rural regions and areas without adequate communications services.

It will look to complement networks that European satellite operators are already providing in geostationary (GEO) and medium Earth orbits (MEO). 

Galileo: David Morris outlines UK’s role in project

Consortium members are Airbus, Arianespace, Eutelsat, Hispasat, OHB, Orange, SES, Telespazio and Thales Alenia Space.

But technology expert Simon Baker previously noted: “No region has more to lose from the rise of Elon Musk in space than Europe. Its Arianespace is one of the launch providers which has lost out to SpaceX. 

“Currently, Europe is a global leader in satellite operation, as home to the headquarters of three of the major players: Eutelsat, SES and Inmarsat.

“The European geostationary operators, with big investments in capacity in orbit that they can now do nothing to change, are looking vulnerable, and need to respond.”

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