OneWeb Seeking to Increase Size of Another Satellite Constellation

OneWeb wants FCC approval for nearly tripling its non-geostationary (NGSO) satellite constellation granted U.S. market access in June (see 1706220039) from 720 satellites to 1,980. The International Bureau application Monday follows a pending ask for FCC OK to amend V-band broadband constellation application from 1,280 satellites to 2,560 (see 1801050002). OneWeb said it's seeking the modification in light of relaxed milestone rules for NGSOs adopted in September (see 1709260035), leading it "to reassess what it can achieve under the newly expanded milestone timeframe." The company pointed to those new milestone rules when it asked in January for the V-band constellation changes. In the latest filing, OneWeb said the move to 1,980 satellites is "another logical step" in its business plans of global broadband connectivity by 2027. It said it has market approval for the Ka- and Ku-bands the constellation would employ, and the additional satellites wouldn't increase interference risk. OneWeb said the additional satellites give it more tools for protection from interference and service interruptions coming from in-line events involving other satellite operators. It said it and other NGSO operators already are "expending substantial effort" in good-faith coordination talks. Satellite experts predicted the September NGSO rules changes might lead to other amendments to applications (see 1801100044).