Businesses in the scientific research and exploration industry need secure, high-speed, and low-latency internet connectivity. That’s because researchers usually work in inaccessible and remote locations with limited infrastructure, making connectivity a top priority.
Imagine scientists effortlessly conducting real-time experiments and communicating clearly. What if they could use 24/7 online portals to monitor their critical research from remote labs?
Thankfully, virtual globalization and the growth of technologies have made this possible. With proper network connectivity, scientists can ensure operational excellence, security, reliability, etc. That’s where OneWeb comes in.
Let’s discuss how this satellite internet provider can unlock the potential of scientific research.
OneWeb: The Global Communication Network That Took the World by Storm
OneWeb is the world’s first GEO-LEO (Geostationary Orbit-Low Earth Orbit) satellite operator, delivering uninterrupted global connectivity. Greg Wyler established OneWeb in 2012, intending to provide WiFi networks for remote locations and fiber connections.
During the pandemic, OneWeb filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. However, the UK Government and Bharti Global invested USD one billion of new equity. It soon emerged as a leader in the global communications sector across various industries. Eutelsat Group is now the parent company operating OneWeb.
This network connection has revolutionized scientific research and exploration. How is that possible, though? It’s all thanks to the unparalleled satellite connectivity and reliable accessibility to online data from anywhere in the world.
Starlink: A Look Into OneWeb’s Competition
According to Statista, the global satellite services sector was valued at USD 110.2 billion last year. That means OneWeb is not the only player.
The Starlink Internet, developed by SpaceX, also offers high-speed broadband internet in remote locations. Thousands of satellites orbiting Earth ensure Starlink offers reliable connectivity.
According to Science Direct, Starlink aims to deliver low-latency connections in remote and rural locations worldwide. To better understand this, authorized resellers and integrators can offer tutorials on Starlink’s commissioning process and provide insight into speed tests.
Hence, companies can maximize this network’s potential with custom-designed connectivity that safeguards performance and extends lifespan.
Both OneWeb and Starlink have bridged the digital divide and opened new business possibilities. However, many consider OneWeb a better option for scientific research and exploration because of the polar orbit coverage and enterprise network applications.
Even though OneWeb satellites operate on a similar model to Starlink, the former offers a faster, more reliable, and low-latency connection.
All that is possible because of the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites (altitude of 746 miles). There are also options to use a hybrid model for both of these networks when it comes to scientific research and exploration.
4 Challenges Scientists Face With Connectivity
It can get challenging to have reliable internet access, even in big cities. This issue will magnify for companies operating in the scientific research and exploration sectors.
Primarily, they’ll face challenges like:
- The base can be in remote and inaccessible places, making it hard to maintain reliable internet connectivity.
- Constraints of infrastructure, logistics, and cost lead to issues with deploying on-the-ground fiber-optic cables.
- Harsh environmental conditions and obstacles in remote locations can damage the effectiveness of physical infrastructure for cellular data.
- Cellular networks have limited reach, leading to inconsistent and weak coverage during remote operations.
Other than these, scientists can face issues with increased latency and sluggish speeds due to weather conditions, bandwidth problems, etc. Maintaining a network’s physical infrastructure in remote locations can also become an issue since there won’t be any on-site technical support.
Why Is OneWeb The Solution for Remote Connectivity in Scientific Exploration?
OneWeb’s creator was familiar with the challenges scientists face in secluded and uninhabited locations. Hence, they wanted to create a network connection that relied on lower-orbit satellites.
Currently, OneWeb has 618 in-orbit satellites. As a result, scientific research in remote locations enjoyed the following benefits:
- The closer proximity to Earth makes data transmission and connectivity faster and more reliable than other service providers.
- Scientists can confidently streamline operations and increase data collection efficiency, knowing they have a reliable and stable internet connection.
- There’s reduced downtime due to the dependable connection that ensures the analysis efforts don’t go in vain.
- It eliminates common issues faced by physical infrastructure in cellular service and traditional satellites during harsh weather conditions.
- Scientists can coordinate in remote environments safely and efficiently.
A Case Study
Germany’s Alfred Wegener Institute’s ship, RV Polarstern, is engaged in critical climate change research in remote locations. The on-board team works in the Arctic region, making reliable and high-bandwidth connectivity necessary.
The researchers on board rely on advanced charting systems, regular record-keeping, and data transmission. According to Speedcast, this ship required hybrid connectivity options that include LEO technology like OneWeb and their AWS-hosted SIGMA network management platform.
Here’s how that works:
- OneWeb’s low-latency and SLA-based broadband provides connectivity and guaranteed uptime.
- It’s integrated through a SIGMA network management platform to offer seamless traffic prioritization and enterprise-grade SD-WAN.
All that has ensured scientists on RV Polarstern can collect and analyze research data in real time. They can also easily collaborate with colleagues in different parts of the world.
The Future of OneWeb: The Ongoing Impact
OneWeb is slowly reforming its purpose after emerging from bankruptcy. Hence, companies can benefit from improved global accessibility and advancements in space technology. For instance, the space economy is booming and might reach USD 1.8 trillion by 2035.
That’s why OneWeb aims to invest in satellite R&D to rule the upcoming demand of the satellite-based internet market. They want their space-for-Earth applications to offer the best internet connectivity in remote locations.
The company aims to complete the launch of 648 satellites. Among them, 588 are needed for global coverage in space. With OneWeb, rural communities can access online education, and remote doctors can diagnose patients.
They also aim to reach more customers by expanding to high-demand markets like aviation and maritime. For example, people can expect to see OneWeb connectivity on yachts, offshore oil rigs, aircraft, etc. Both on- and off-grid sectors can benefit from uninterrupted and revolutionized internet connectivity.
As seen in this article, OneWeb can revolutionize scientific exploration and research across the world. But how is that possible? Well, this uses a global satellite constellation that offers unique connectivity in remote regions through unparalleled uptime and reliance.
For example, scientists in the Arctic can now experience consistent and high-speed internet access. Unlike Starlink, the OneWeb satellites are closer to the Earth’s surface, ensuring uninterrupted connections. As a result, scientists can conduct real-time experiments, monitor environmental changes, and more.
