Under the terms of the partnership, SoftBank and OneWeb will promote satellite communication services through a combination of OneWeb and SoftBank's services, including advanced communication and Digital Transformation (DX) platform services.
In addition, the two companies will collaborate developing their market presence both in Japan and global markets, which includes the joint development of their respective technical product to boost their competitiveness.
The cooperation includes obtaining regulatory approvals and deploying ground stations in Japan. Overall, the aim is to deliver global Internet connectivity, to digitise analogue industries, by delivering advanced seamless connectivity services and DX platform services from SoftBank using global connectivity solutions through OneWeb’s services.
In related news, April saw OneWeb successfully launched 36 satellites into its constellation bringing its total in-orbit constellation to 182 satellites, of the OneWeb’s 648 LEO satellite fleet.
The company will test its network and conduct demonstrations, as it prepares for commercial service in areas above the 50th parallel north before end of year, and globally in 2022.
In addition, May saw OneWeb announce plans to buy US military satellite specialist TrustComm to give it a way into US government and military contracts.
OneWeb said it will offer the US Department of Defense and other government clients “a new suite of services with network speeds up to 195Mbps, lower latency, smaller and more compact multi-orbit user terminals and built-in network management tools”.
