VEON, a global digital operator that provides converged connectivity and online services, and OneWeb, the low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications company, announced today at the Mobile World Congress that they are partnering to provide extended mobile internet connectivity and digital services in emerging markets.

VEON Group’s operating companies serve a vast geography that is home to more than 510 million people, including countries that have some of the lowest population densities in the world, uneven population distribution, internal migration patterns, rich economic resources in remote areas and disaster-prone regions. OneWeb partnership will further support VEON Group’s “4G for all” and “humanitarian connectivity” focus, which has seen VEON’s operating companies significantly increase their 4G coverage over the past 2 years, bridge the digital divide for millions of users, respond to disasters and unlock economic growth in their markets.

OneWeb’s LEO network has substantive capabilities to deliver high-speed, low-latency connectivity to governments, businesses and communities. To-date, the business has launched 544 satellites into orbit, 80 per cent of its satellite constellation, which will deliver global coverage when completed in 2023. OneWeb’s services work seamlessly with mobile communication infrastructure to enable satellite backhaul to be integrated into mobile networks. OneWeb additionally enables operators to expand 3G, 4G, LTE, and 5G networks into underserved or unconnected communities, particularly those in hard-to-reach places.

“We have always stated that our focus is ‘4G for all’ and that mobile communication is an essential service. Our partnership with OneWeb enables us to ensure that the continuity of this essential service can be secured everywhere, providing access to seamless connectivity and digital services, supporting resilience, and enabling growth.” explains Kaan Terzioglu, CEO of VEON Group. “We are excited to explore the possibilities this partnership will bring, from emergency connectivity in disaster response to enabling economic activity in remote regions, and to serving rural areas with mobile education, healthcare and financial services, complementing terrestrial connectivity.”

Neil Masterson, CEO of OneWeb, added: “OneWeb and VEON have a shared mission: to expand reliable, affordable and high-speed connectivity services to the places that need it most. With this partnership we can support the development of telecoms and digital infrastructure in emerging markets, working with VEON to ensure the essential roll-out of mobile connectivity. We look forward to capitalising on the potential that this partnership has for the customers and communities we serve, while ensuring that OneWeb remains the partner of choice for telco operators globally.”