Photo: Eutelsat OneWeb
A strategic partnership aiming to transform space communications as we know it. Eutelsat OneWeb together with SSC have jointly successfully propelled the deployment of numerous ground stations for the development of the OneWeb constellation, removing barriers to connectivity and transforming space communications.
Eutelsat OneWeb, part of Eutelsat Group, the industry leader in satellite telecommunications, is on a mission to help reduce the digital divide and improve the world’s access to information. Swedish Space Corporation (SSC) is a global leader of ground station network connectivity, enhancing the capabilities of satellite operators, with services ranging from space-to-ground connectivity categories to hosting services.
“Together we have a shared commitment to reliability and service excellence which has played a significant role in shaping our partnership. Working with SSC, a formidable global collaborator with advanced technological capabilities and a dedication to sustainability, aligns seamlessly with Eutelsat OneWeb’s mission”
Eutelsat OneWeb is today the second largest constellation of telecom satellites. But, how did they efficiently build their ground sites?
Embracing an outsourcing-strategy
Eutelsat OneWeb were on a quest that needed an experienced site establishment partner. With everything from site design to site establishment and antenna installation, SSC with its long experience from advising satellite operators in their planning of ground segment architecture was trusted to take on the task.
As Eutelsat OneWeb’s LEO satellite constellation started its roll-out, speed was important to ensure seamless connectivity to customers in various sectors.
SSC began its support to the project by working on the first site in Florida. More of Eutelsat OneWeb’s sites around the globe were gradually added, deepening the collaboration.
“Eutelsat OneWeb found our expertise aligned with their requirement specification, and now we have a close and longstanding partnership spanning over multiple site development projects,” says Dan Narey, Business Development Director at SSC.
To this day, SSC has successfully completed site and/or antenna installations at twelve ground station sites, also known as Satellite Network Portals or SNPs, in various locations including Florida (U.S.), Santiago (Chile), Toluca (Mexico), Yellowknife (Canada), Alaska (U.S.), Hawaii (U.S.), California (U.S.), Connecticut (U.S.), Arica (Chile), Cali (Colombia), and Tahiti (French Polynesia). Moving forward, SSC will continue to operate the hosting parts of the first four sites’ systems.
Additionally, SSC actively supports Eutelsat OneWeb’s systems hosting end-user terminals at two SSC ground station sites in Sweden: Stockholm Teleport and Esrange Space Center. This plays a crucial role in monitoring the service, and in supporting the satellite operator’s operational efficiency.
“Despite facing difficulties such as wildfires, harsh weather conditions, supply chain delays, and local support issues, the team persevered and successfully completed the twelve site and antenna installations. This demonstrates the joint commitment between our two companies,” says Dan Narey, Business Development Director at SSC.
Sharing ground station sites and experience
Over the course of the project, SSC opened its ground station sites for Eutelsat OneWeb to host their equipment, and also worked at third-party sites for Eutelsat OneWeb, where the two companies shared expertise and global experience in ground station site operations.
“Together we have a shared commitment to reliability and service excellence which has played a significant role in shaping our partnership. Working with SSC, a formidable global collaborator with advanced technological capabilities and a dedication to sustainability, aligns seamlessly with Eutelsat OneWeb’s mission,” said Joe White, Director for SNP Transition at Eutelsat Group.
“Our partnership shows the mutual trust and fruitful collaboration built along the way. We have seamlessly integrated our expertise into the global expansion of Eutelsat OneWeb, and the excitement of supporting such a groundbreaking venture resonates within us,” says Dan Narey, Business Development Director at SSC.
With a shared commitment to revolutionizing global connectivity, SSC continues to strengthen and broaden its collaboration with Eutelsat OneWeb – working together to connect the world.
Read more about Eutelsat OneWeb’s network at https://oneweb.net/our-network