UK-based satellite communications company OneWeb reported on Thursday that it had achieved its first key operational goal, dubbed the ‘Five to 50’ mission, with the successful launch of 36 more of its low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites by Arianespace from Russia’s Vostochny Cosmodrome. This launch takes the number of OneWeb satellites now in orbit to 254.

Although this number represents only 40% of the company’s planned initial fleet of 648 satellites, it is enough for OneWeb to start delivering high-speed broadband connectivity over the northern regions of the planet, from the North Pole to latitude 50° N. This zone includes the Arctic, Alaska, Canada, Greenland, the UK and northern Europe.

Demonstrations of the services that it will provide will start soon in several places, including Alaska and Canada. OneWeb has already concluded distribution partnerships with a range of enterprises and industries in the northern countries and regions that it can now service. These include the UK’s BT Group and AST Group, Canada’s ROCK Network, Alaska Communications and another Alaskan company, Pacific Dataport Incorporated, among others.

Commercial services in these northern latitudes should start within the next six months. However, the company’s ultimate objective is global coverage, with a fleet of 648 LEO satellites. It plans to be able to start providing it services globally during 2022.

OneWeb was rescued from bankruptcy last year by a joint effort by India’s Bharti Global group and the UK government. Since then, further investments by Japan’s Softbank, France’s Eutelsat and by Bharti itself mean that OneWeb is now 38.6%-owned by the Indian group, with the UK government, Softbank and Eutelsat each holding 19.3% and US group Hughes Network Systems having a 3.5% share. The UK government has a ‘golden share’ giving it veto rights over the sale of the company and over who can access its network.

“This is a truly historic moment for OneWeb, the culmination of months of positive momentum in our ‘Five to 50’ programme, increased investment from our global partners and the rapid onboarding of new customers,” highlighted OneWeb CEO Neil Masterson. “We are incredibly excited to start delivering high-speed, low-latency connectivity first to the UK and the Arctic region and to see our network scale over the coming months as we continue building to global service. Thanks to all our incredible partners who have been with us on this journey and are instrumental to making OneWeb’s mission a success.”