This is an automated translation of a OneWeb press release

Rio de Janeiro Brazil – OneWeb, a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite communications company, and Telespazio, a joint venture between Leonardo (67%) and Thales (33%), today jointly launched OneWeb’s new satellite network portal at the Maricá teleport, in the State of Rio de Janeiro. The new portal built in partnership with Telespazio Brasil will provide key infrastructure in Brazil to help deliver high-speed, low-latency OneWeb connectivity services.

The gateway, which began construction last year, will be activated in the second quarter of 2023 and is one of two gateway sites in Brazil and one of seven sites in Latin America built to provide OneWeb connectivity in the country, and across the region. In addition to supporting gateway development, Telespazio Brasil is one of OneWeb’s distribution partners in Brazil, supporting the government’s mission to provide meaningful connectivity throughout the country.

After rapidly expanding its launch schedule, OneWeb has already deployed 542 satellites to low Earth orbit, over 80% of the satellite fleet, and the company is on track to enable global reach by 2023.

OneWeb and Telespazio co-hosted a groundbreaking event today to mark the completion of the new gateway. Representatives present included executives from OneWeb and Telespazio Brasil, Secretary of the Civil Council of Rio de Janeiro, Nicola Miccione, Executive Secretary of the Ministry of Communications (MCOM), Sônia Faustino Mendes, Ambassador of Italy to Brazil, Francesco Azzarello , Consul General of Italy in Rio de Janeiro, Massimiliano Iacchini, British Consul General in Rio de Janeiro, Anjoum Noorani, Mayor of Maricá, Fabiano Horta and various political and military authorities.

Christopher Casarrubias, Head of Regulatory and Governance Affairs from OneWeb commented: “We are very pleased to take our long term relationship with Telespazio to the next phase with the completion of this satellite portal in Brazil. This portal will be one of the most advanced in Latin America and will help provide reliable connectivity for Brazilian communities and customers throughout the country. As OneWeb looks towards completing our constellation and global coverage this year, it marks an important milestone for our business and for people and businesses in Brazil.”

Marzio Laurenti, CEO of Telespazio Brasil , adding: “Our OneWeb Portal in Teleport in Marica is another very important achievement of the partnership between Telespazio and OneWeb. And now we are looking forward to the start of OneWeb services throughout Brazil soon.”

British Consul General, Rio de Janeiro, Anjoum Noorani, He said: “This British technology is simply amazing. Imagine broadband connectivity, available anywhere in the world. Unlimited applications. Connecting communities, businesses and local government: unlocking new educational opportunities, economic opportunities and access to healthcare. There’s a lot of potential.

“As Consul General, I am very pleased that this British investment continues to generate jobs and income in Maricá, supporting the economy of the state of Rio de Janeiro. I look forward to seeing a constellation of satellites orbiting Earth 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, providing digital connectivity for decades to come.”