OneWeb Signs MoU with Uzbekspace on Internet Provision

UK based satellite communications provider OneWeb announced on 17th May the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Uzbekspace. The MoU calls for the two parties “to explore the provision of ubiquitous high-speed, low-latency broadband satellite connectivity across the Republic of Uzbekistan”. According to the company, this paves the way for both state and private clients in Uzbekistan to use its services.

OneWeb also noted that the MoU followed a set of working meetings between the company and the Republic of Uzbekistan. The two signed the agreement on the sidelines of STC 2022, the first-ever Central Eurasian Space Technology Conference. STC 2022 was hosted by Uzbekspace in Tashkent.

In the press release, Uzbek Acting General Director Shukhrat Kadirov said:

“The signing of the MoU with OneWeb is a significant event in the development of space communications in Uzbekistan, and the availability of OneWeb telecommunications services in the Republic would allow effective implementation of the tasks provided for by the state programs for the development of information technologies and ensure the availability of innovative communication services even in remote regions of the country”.

OneWeb pivots in Central Asia

The move by OneWeb comes on the heels of major changes in the company’s launches. As reported previously, OneWeb cancelled its launches from Baikanour in Kazakhstan. To compensate, on 20th April, the company announced an agreement with New Space India. Among other space services, the deal includes launches from Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota. Notably, these launches from India begin in late 2022. Also, these plans run parallel to launches with SpaceX from the United States announced in March 2022. OneWeb previously broke with Russia and its allies following the broad-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24th February 2022.

As of 20th April, the company’s satellite contingent included 428 satellites in orbit. This equals 66% of its planned total constellation.