NEWS

OneWeb, the satellite operator, which was rescued from bankruptcy by the UK Government, who remain a part-owner has successfully launched satellites via new partner SpaceX.

Previously OneWeb used Russia’s Soyuz rockets for launches, but their programme was thrown into jeopardy by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, forcing them to seek new partners.

On Thursday, at 5:27 p.m. ET, SpaceX launched the OneWeb 1 mission with a Falcon9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida (USA) with 40 of OneWeb’s compact Low Earth Orbit (LEO) based ultrafast broadband satellites aboard

The mission represents the next step in OneWeb’s plan to provide global broadband coverage via a constellation of 648 small LEO satellites. Prior to the launch 462 of the 150kg satellites had been launched, each orbiting at an altitude of 1,200km above the Earth. The aim is to complete the constellation by late 2023.

OneWeb CEO, Neil Masterson said “We are thankful for the support of other leaders in the space industry allowing us to quickly restart our launch campaign and we are delighted to work with SpaceX today for our first-ever launch from Florida, the home where our satellites are manufactured.

As we look to our final ‘Three to Global Reality’ launches in the first half of 2023, we are thrilled to see our connectivity footprint dramatically expand from today, and to soon activate our network globally to reach remote and under-served areas of the world.”

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OneWeb chief commercial officer Stephen Beynon explained that it will take about 100 days for the satellites to reach their intended destinations and begin services, expanding the operator’s constellation into the southern hemisphere while improving the density of coverage to the north. This will enable coverage across “a substantial part” of North America, according to Beynon, where OneWeb has a distribution agreement with AT&T.

As well as SpaceX who also operates rival LEO network, Starlink, OneWeb also agreed a launch partnership with NewSpace India Limited (NSIL) – the commercial arm of India’s space agency – who may be utilised for 2023 launches.

Related content:
OneWeb’s space race: from bankrupt to billions
OneWeb to launch satellites from India in new deal

NEWS

American Rescue Plan Funds to Increase access to affordable, high-speed internet have been awarded to Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri and Utah, taking the total number of states benefiting to 22, with 700,000 locations reached and nearly $3 billion awarded by the Capital Projects Fund (CPF)

The latest announcement by the U.S. Department of the Treasury approves broadband projects in the six states to connect around 180,000 homes and businesses to affordable, high-speed internet.

The Capital Projects Fund provides $10 billion to states, territories, freely associated states, and Tribal governments to fund critical capital projects that enable work, education, and health monitoring in response to the public health emergency. Many states supplement this investment with money from the State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to further assist in achieving the Biden-Harris Administration’s mission of connecting every American household to affordable, reliable high-speed internet.

In each case the awards fund projects to provide an internet service with speeds of 100/100 Mbps symmetrical to households and businesses.

The latest investments include:

$248 million in Florida, funding the Florida’s Broadband Infrastructure Program (BIP) for infrastructure to connect 48,400 households and expand last mile broadband access to homes and businesses in rural areas of the state. This represents around 10% of locations still lacking high-speed internet access.

Georgia will get $250 million for broadband infrastructure, funding the Georgia Capital Projects Fund, connecting an estimated 70,000 households and businesses.

The Empower Rural Iowa Broadband Program will benefit from $152.2 million for broadband infrastructure, which the state estimates will connect 16% of locations still lacking high-speed internet access – around 18,972 households and businesses.

In Minnesota, two separate programmes will benefit from $44 million in funding.

• Minnesota’s Line Extension Program for individuals where the cost of the last mile connection is a barrier, despite being close to infrastructure for a high-quality broadband service.
• Low-Density Pilot Program, that provides investment for new and existing providers to build broadband infrastructure in low-density areas of the state that currently lack high-speed internet.

An estimated 37,979 households and businesses will be connected in Missouri, via a $196.7 million investment to fund the Missouri Broadband Infrastructure Grant Program, and about 5% of locations still lacking high-speed internet access in Utah will be connected via a $10 million award for the Broadband Infrastructure Gap Networks Grant Program (Gap Networks Grant Program).

With funding coming thick and fast there has never been a better time to explore how you can play your part in building a better Connected America. Join us on the 28-29 March 2023 at the Irving Convention Center, Dallas. Find out more at www.totaltele.com/connectedamerica

Related content: FCC implements full ban on Huawei and ZTE equipment

Five interesting items focused on regional and metro projects and events around the US: … [visit site to read more]

NEWS

BT Group have struck a deal with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to manage the decommissioning of over 70% of the Digital Units legacy technology estate, with an aim of delivering annualised savings of £65 million by end of FY25.

The deal forms part of BT’s modernisation and simplification programme and will play its part in achieving £3bn in gross annualised savings by the end of FY25.

The programme should speed Digital’s transition to a new technology architecture whilst reducing the risks associated with transition from legacy systems. Around 400 BT Group employees worldwide may join TCS during the transition.

Harmeen Mehta, Chief Digital and Innovation Officer, BT Group said of the partnership “It removes complexity and intensifies our strategic focus on delivering the leading-edge tech to meet our customers’ needs and drive growth.”

Whilst Debashis Ghosh, President, Business Transformation Group, TCS highlighted that “This is a truly innovative and ground-breaking deal that presents a replicable model for other large enterprises seeking to pivot into the new, while mitigating operational risks.”