OneWeb Wants to Double Size of MEO Broadband Constellation

OneWeb plans to bump up the scale of its V-band medium earth orbit (MEO) broadband satellite constellation. In an FCC International Bureau filing Thursday, it asked to amend its petition for U.S. market access (see 1703020036) to increase the number of MEOs from 1,280 to 2,560 and add Ka-, Ku- and E-band frequencies. Citing the FCC's more liberal milestone rules for non-geostationary orbit satellites adopted in September (see 1709260035), OneWeb said it took a new look at what it would have proposed for its MEO and low earth orbit constellations under that new milestone regime. It said it still plans to launch its first satellites in May, and the expanded MEO constellation would let it better target capacity to areas generating the most data traffic in its network. The company also wants to be able to use a variety of Ka-, Ku- and E-band frequencies, including the 17.8-18.1 and 18.1-18.3 GHz bands, which aren't allocated for fixed satellite service use.