Virgin and Qualcomm invests in OneWeb' satellite constellation program

OneWeb Ltd announced plan to build, launch and operate the world’s largest ever satellite constellation to connect billions of people t...

OneWeb Ltd announced plan to build, launch and operate the world’s largest ever satellite constellation to connect billions of people through affordable high-speed Internet and telephony.


OneWeb was founded in 2012 under the name WorldVu to bring high-speed Internet and telephony to people living in underserved areas around the world.

Qualcomm Incorporated and Virgin Group have been announced as initial investors, with Qualcomm Executive Chairman Dr.Paul Jacobsand Virgin Group Founder Sir Richard Branson to join OneWeb founder Greg Wyleron the company's board of directors.

OneWeb also announced the selection of its first satellite launch vehicle provider, Virgin Galactic and Virgin Galactic's LauncherOne vehicle.

Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed. OneWeb plans to bring in additional investors to fund construction, launch and operation of its system.

OneWeb will use a projected fleet of 648 telecom-class micro satellites to the provide low-latency, high-speed Internet access directly to small user terminals deployed around the world.

The OneWeb system will extend the networks of mobile operators globally, enabling them to provide coverage to rural and remote areas, which historically have not been economically feasible to connect using terrestrial networks.

 OneWeb plans to work with local operator partners to provide this access. OneWeb terminals act as small cells with the ability to provide access to the surrounding area via a WiFi, LTE, 3G or 2G connection using an operator partner's licensed spectrum, or only LTE or WiFi on unlicensed spectrum.

The LauncherOne is a two-stage rocket, being developed by Virgin Galactics, and launched by the WhiteKnight mother ship like the SpaceShipTwo spacecraft.

Built using advanced composite structures, LauncherOne is powered by a new family of LOX/RP-1 liquid rocket engines. Each LauncherOne mission will be capable of delivering as much as 225 kilograms (500 pounds) to a low inclination Low Earth Orbit or 120 kilograms (265 pounds) to a high-altitude Sun-Synchronous Orbit, for a price of less than $10M.