Written question asked by Nick Smith (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 February 2021, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 22 February 2021 (named day). It was answered by Amanda Solloway (Conservative) on Monday, 22 February 2021 on behalf of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

OneWeb

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, with reference to his Department’s press release of 3 July 2020 announcing its investment in OneWeb, what estimate he has made of the number of households in the UK that will benefit from enhanced broadband through OneWeb in the next 12 months.

Answer

OneWeb plans to have UK coverage of satellite broadband by the end of 2021, with global coverage planned by the end of 2022.

The UK Government is supporting OneWeb in providing competitive global broadband whilst being mindful of its responsibility to the UK Space Sector.

The commercial operation of OneWeb will be separate from Government’s duties to ensure the transparent and effective operation of markets.

Secondary information