VEON, a global digital operator that provides
converged connectivity and online services, and OneWeb, the low Earth orbit
(LEO) satellite Communications Company, have announced at the Mobile World
Congress that they are partnering to provide extended mobile internet
connectivity and digital services in emerging markets.
VEON
Group’s operating companies serve a vast geography that is home to more than
510 million people, including countries that have some of the lowest population
densities in the world, uneven population distribution, internal migration
patterns, rich economic resources in remote areas and disaster-prone regions.
OneWeb partnership will further support VEON
Group’s “4G for all” and “humanitarian connectivity” focus, which has seen
VEON’s operating companies significantly increase their 4G coverage over the
past 2 years, bridge the digital divide for millions of users, respond to
disasters and unlock economic growth in their markets.
OneWeb’s
LEO network has substantive capabilities to deliver high-speed, low-latency
connectivity to governments, businesses and communities. To-date, the business
has launched 544 satellites into orbit, 80 per cent of its satellite
constellation, which will deliver global coverage when completed in 2023.
OneWeb’s services work seamlessly with mobile
communication infrastructure to enable satellite backhaul to be integrated into
mobile networks. OneWeb additionally enables operators to expand 3G, 4G, LTE,
and 5G networks into underserved or unconnected communities, particularly those
in hard-to-reach places.
“We have always stated that our focus is
‘4G for all’ and that mobile communication is an essential service. Our
partnership with OneWeb enables us to ensure that the continuity of this
essential service can be secured everywhere, providing access to seamless
connectivity and digital services, supporting resilience, and enabling growth.” explains Kaan
Terzioglu, CEO of VEON Group. “We are
excited to explore the possibilities this partnership will bring, from
emergency connectivity in disaster response to enabling economic activity in
remote regions, and to serving rural areas with mobile education, healthcare
and financial services, complementing terrestrial connectivity.”
Neil
Masterson, CEO of OneWeb, added: “OneWeb
and VEON have a shared mission: to expand reliable, affordable and high-speed
connectivity services to the places that need it most. With this partnership we
can support the development of telecoms and digital infrastructure in emerging
markets, working with VEON to ensure the essential roll-out of mobile
connectivity. We look forward to capitalising on the potential that this
partnership has for the customers and communities we serve, while ensuring that
OneWeb remains the partner of choice for telco operators globally.”