BT eyes OneWeb's satellite service to close broadband gaps

UK operator BT teamed up with satellite company OneWeb to explore how the latter’s service could help close broadband gaps in areas beyond the reach of its mobile and fiber networks. Working together under a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), the companies aim to determine how connectivity from OneWeb’s constellation could be used to deliver increased coverage and capacity to consumers and businesses in remote areas across the UK. In addition to using OneWeb’s technology to improve mobile service, they aim to explore other connectivity options including fixed wireless access broadband. Efforts will initially focus on serving UK customers, but the pair will also look at opportunities to roll out new global services for BT’s international customers. BT is just beginning to explore how low-earth orbit satellite systems might be used to support a variety of services, stating that other partners besides OneWeb could also enter the mix.