The FCC has granted OneWeb permission to launch an additional 1,280 satellites in addition to the 720 satellites that have already been approved for the company’s broadband service.
OneWeb filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, citing the “financial impact and market turbulence related to the spread of COVID-19” as the reason behind a lack of funding needed to move the company forward.
Despite the bankruptcy, subsequent layoffs, and an agreement to sell the business, the London-based OneWeb seems to be moving forward with plans to offer broadband service. The company has launched 74 satellites of the originally approved 720, has been approved for 1,280 more, and filed an application for another 47,844 in May 2020.
“We are pleased to hear the FCC granted our V-Band application. The V-band is critical for next generation satellite broadband services,” OneWeb told Ars Technica. “OneWeb looks forward to the future growth opportunities this approval will enable as we commercialize our spectrum and execute on our mission to bring low-latency connectivity to communities, governments, businesses, and people in the US and around the world.”
OneWeb’s top competitor, SpaceX, has launched over 600 satellites with permission to launch nearly 12,000. Amazon has also received FCC approval for launching over 3,200 satellites for Project Kuiper, its own broadband service.
Did you know we now have a FREE app for iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire? Click HERE to download our app.
Please follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more news, tips, and reviews. Need cord cutting tech support? Join our Cord Cutting Tech Support Facebook Group for help.