On February 26, 2024, Eutelsat OneWeb launched the new Land Mobility connectivity services based on the company’s fleet of 634 first-generation (GEN1) Low Earth Orbit (LEO) broadband satellites. The new mobility services aim at serving both land customers and distribution partners, enabling the implementation of high-speed communication “on the move” solutions.
We have launched our land mobility connectivity services, bringing high-speed communications on the move into reality for land-based customers 🚋
— Eutelsat OneWeb (@EutelsatOneWeb) February 26, 2024
Find out more about the launch on our website:https://t.co/VBhNpEeSq1 pic.twitter.com/mMLOgj9zua
The service leverages the Kymeta Hawk u8 flat panel user terminal enabled for mobility. It will provide access to download speeds of up to 200 Mbps while traveling in North and South America, Europe, and Australia. The company plans to increase the geography range with the completion of its ground segment reaching global coverage.
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Land Mobility connectivity services use cases
The innovative LEO mobility services provide high throughput, low latency, and globally consistent connectivity for land applications, such as rail connectivity, and services for emergency responders, the media, agriculture, and mining industries.
“We look forward to meeting the huge demand for connectivity on the move services by working closely with our trusted distribution and technology partners.”
— Stephen Beynon, co-president of Connectivity at Eutelsat Group
In particular, broadband communications for Railway transportation could be improved through the Land Connectivity services integration with the existing terrestrial communication networks, as the Satellites for Digitalisation of Railways (SODOR) project aims to prove. The European Space Agency and the UK Space Agency support the pilot, led by CGI in collaboration with Eutelsat OneWeb and Icomera. Satellite communication is filling the gaps in terrestrial coverage, allowing it to add capacity and improve safety and connectivity for travelers.
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Ground segment delays, next-gen satellites from 2025
In the Second Quarter and Half 2023-24 Press Release, the company reported delays in the roll-out of the ground segment. Despite the in-orbit fleet’s full availability, the incompleteness of the ground network has impacted the service coverage. The current plan aims to complete 90% of the implementation by mid-2024, finally unlocking the potential of the LEO constellation.
Furthermore, an update was provided on the Gen2 satellites, which will supply additional capacity and improved performance to enhance service continuity and offering. The deployment will start in 2025 following a stepwise approach which combined with the experience gained with the current constellation, will allow the company to lower the expenditure of years 2025-30 compared to the previous estimates for the build-out.
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