Satellite provider OneWeb will try to get frequencies in Russia
The State Radio Frequency Commission (SCRF) may soon consider the allocation of frequencies for the Russian segment of the OneWeb satellite communications network. This information is contained in the agenda of the meeting, as reported by Vedomosti. The meeting itself should be held in early November.
Interestingly, the company with the name "Ouenweb" claims to the Russian frequencies. 60% of the share capital of this company belongs to the global OneWeb, and another 40% - to the Gonets satellite communications system, which is controlled by Roscosmos.
It is worth noting that the allocation of frequencies "Ouanweb" should have been considered at the end of last year, but this did not happen. The fact is that the requested frequency spectrum is of interest to the Russian Federal State Unitary Enterprise "Space Communications" (GPKS). This issue is currently under review by the relevant authorities.
Frequencies are required by FSUE for the deployment of the Express-RV system. As envisioned by the enterprise, four satellites of this system will be able to provide communications primarily in the circumpolar regions of Russia. And to create this grouping RSCC plans by 2023. Investment in the project should be more than 100 billion rubles.
OneWeb planned to launch its satellites with the help of Roskosmos Proton launch vehicles. So, OneWeb ordered 21 Soyuz missile launches. This number of launches should be enough to put 672 satellites into orbit. According to the ministry, some kind of compromise will be found in the near future, since OneWeb is quite an important customer of the launch services of Roscosmos.
OneWeb also plans to launch satellites using media such as LauncherOne (Virgin Orbit), New Glenn (Blue Origin).
The project is being implemented in three stages. As part of the first, the company launches satellites into low orbit, which will allow distributing the Internet at speeds up to 500 Mbps for an individual user. The second stage is the expansion of the group of satellites, with an increase in the channel width up to 2.5 Gbit / s. Well, the third stage - the launch of the remaining satellites.
The cost of the entire project is about $ 30 billion. The company plans to complete the creation of satellite infrastructure by 2027. Then the total network bandwidth of the company will be approximately 1000 terabits.
OneWeb has several investors, including the Virgin Richard Branson holding. More in the project were invested Qualcomm, AirBus, the Japanese investment company SoftBank, Coca-Cola.