Distribution Partner Agreement Will Bring OneWeb to Alaska
Alaska-owned Pacific Dataport has signed a Distribution Partner agreement with OneWeb to provide connectivity services across the 49th State and put the Last Frontier first for low Earth orbit (LEO) broadband access.
"OneWeb has been committed to connecting Alaska from the very beginning, and importantly, to do so by partnering with Alaskans to see this dream become a reality."
OneWeb CEO Neil Masterson.
Pacific Dataport will serve as a middle-mile provider for OneWeb, a low Earth orbit satellite communications company, offering capacity to telecoms, schools, health clinics, and tribal organizations in Alaska. Pacific Dataport was created by Microcom, a leading supplier of satellite communication systems across the largest state in the US.
Pacific Dataport, connected by the OneWeb constellation, will be a wholesale provider while Microcom will be a consumer provider of LEO services.
The distribution partner agreement will enable delivery of OneWeb’s high speed, low latency communications services across Alaska and marks a key step in OneWeb’s preparation to commence commercial services in Alaska later this year, and bring high-speed internet to the Arctic region.
Together, OneWeb, Pacific Dataport, and Microcom share a vision to see high-speed, low-latency, enterprise-grade connectivity services delivered across Alaska, providing high-speed service and competitive pricing in areas that have always struggled with Internet connectivity.
"Pacific Dataport’s distribution agreement with OneWeb ensures that everyone in Alaska will enjoy OneWeb LEO services as early as the end of 2021," said Pacific Dataport CEO Chuck Schumann. "This will build on the longstanding relationship between the two companies. It will also support Pacific Dataport customers who would like to utilize hybrid middle mile technology using both OneWeb LEO and Aurora GEO HTS satellite. Hybrid satellite middle mile allows a broadband provider to expand their network capacity or reach into new communities more affordably.”
"OneWeb has been committed to connecting Alaska from the very beginning, and importantly, to do so by partnering with Alaskans to see this dream become a reality," said OneWeb CEO Neil Masterson. "Pacific Dataport and Microcom have been champions of our vision, and our work together continues today as we prepare our high-speed, low latency services to light up by the end of the year. With our Talkeetna ground station standing ready, OneWeb is proud to put the Last Frontier first. We look forward to bringing transformative connectivity to schools, small businesses,and many more.”
OneWeb has successfully launched 218 satellites into orbit as part of its growing constellation. The next launch will enable OneWeb to provide connectivity services to Alaska by the end of 2021, with customer demonstrations starting this summer and commercial service planned in winter 2021 through Microcom.
(Source OneWeb news release. Image from file)