Erillisverkot, Airbus and the Finnish Defence Forces tested the OneWeb satellite service – Operational reliability for northern conditions

“Erillisverkot is interested in all technologies that secure data communication connections. We work to ensure that our customers’ connections work everywhere and at all times,” says Antti Kauppinen, Chief Technology Officer at Erillisverkot.

Data communication satellites usually fly along a geostationary orbit, which is located high above the equator. However, as the name suggests, LEO (low-Earth-orbit) satellites fly along a low orbit that also runs over the circumpolar areas. This enables the provision of short-delay broadband computer services. OneWeb is a LEO mega-constellation consisting of hundreds of low-Earth-orbit data communication satellites. It provides operational reliability even at Arctic latitudes.

“Satellite services such as OneWeb can supplement and secure mobile services provided by Erillisverkot. They can also enable the development of entirely new types of services. However, decisions have not yet been made on the implementation of satellite services or partners providing them. Such decisions call for more extensive discussions,” Kauppinen points out.

Maximal capacity, minimal delay

OneWeb by Airbus enables a cyber-secure data communication satellite service for demanding purposes of use for the authorities in northern conditions. At an event held on 7 and 8 September 2022, VTT ran tests related to the performance capacity of the service.

“OneWeb services have short delays and sufficient capacity even for the reliable transmission of moving images, which will be important in terms of communication between the authorities in the near future,” says Tapio Savunen, Director, Strategic Marketing at Airbus.

At the testing event, Airbus also showcased its Agnet group communication service together with the OneWeb service.

“Thanks to Agnet, Virve and Virve 2 by Erillisverkot can be used in parallel with one another. In other words, Agnet supports the transition to a next-generation service,” says Savunen.