LONDON and OTTAWA — OneWeb, a London, UK-based global communications service provider whose network is powered by low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, announced today a distribution partnership for Canada with wireless and broadband solutions provider Rock Networks.
The partnership will combine the power of OneWeb’s LEO services with Rock Networks’ devices and services to bring strengthened connectivity to Canada’s national defence and security protocols, says OneWeb’s press release.
The announcement was made during the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries (CADSI) Canadian Defence Marketplace event, held earlier this month.
Through the partnership, OneWeb will provide connectivity via low-latency satellite communications for Canada’s Arctic region for Canadian Armed Forces and other government of Canada departments and agencies, says the release.
“With OneWeb service starting across all Canadian provinces and territories in November, Rock Networks is expected to spend the next seven months training staff and onboarding customer support tools to include interconnecting to OneWeb’s PoPs (points of presence) in Calgary and Toronto,” reads the press release.
“OneWeb’s 648 LEO satellite fleet will deliver high-speed, low-latency global connectivity. The company is in the final process of completing its ‘Five to 50’ programme, which ensures OneWeb has the satellites required to launch commercial services to the 50th parallel and above, which includes the United Kingdom, Alaska, Northern Europe, Greenland, Iceland, the Arctic Seas and Canada, before the end of the year. OneWeb then intends to make global service available in 2022,” says the release.
Dylan Browne, head of government services at OneWeb, is quoted as saying: “OneWeb and Rock Neworks will participate in a number of forthcoming defence events and exercises to showcase airborne and maritime surveillance, resupply, support patrols and security exercises.”
Joe Hickey, CEO and president of Ottawa-based Rock Networks, added: “Low latency connectivity is the future and it is a valuable addition to our broader communications portfolio. It will enable a range of critical applications to support our customers. We are thrilled to be partnering with OneWeb and look forward to starting demonstrations this year.”
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