BT Group PLC (LSE:BT.A) has teamed up with satellite-powered communications network OneWeb.
The FTSE 100 telecoms giant will roll out Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communication services across its operations, with first live trials with customers scheduled for early next year.
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OneWeb is expected to deliver global coverage by June 2022 through a constellation of 648 LEO satellites and is poised to deliver services from the North Pole to the 50th parallel, covering the entire UK, before the end of 2021.
The new partnership supports BT's goal, set out in July this year, to deliver digital solutions across the entire UK by 2028, through a combination of an expanded network and 'on-demand,' requestable solutions anywhere beyond.
BT will initially test capabilities in its Bristol lab to demonstrate how they integrate with existing services then move onto customers if successful.
“Space is an emerging and enormous digital opportunity, and this is an important step towards harnessing its potential for BT's customers across the globe,” said chief executive Philip Jansen.
“Delivered securely and at scale, satellite solutions will be an important part of our plans to expand connectivity throughout the UK and globally, and to further diversify the range of services we can offer our customers."
Shares dipped 1% to 143.14p on Tuesday at noon.