TAMPA, Fla. — South Korea’s Hanwha Systems, the OneWeb investor with plans for its own low Earth orbit (LEO) broadband constellation, has secured regulatory permission to operate as a satellite communications provider within the country.
The approval from South Korea’s Ministry of Science and ICT enables Hanwha Systems to supply LEO web services to businesses and government organizations, the corporate announced July 11.
Hanwha Systems, the defense arm of South Korean conglomerate Hanwha, doesn’t currently own a communications network.
Nevertheless, the corporate plans to supply broadband later this yr via satellites operated by OneWeb, following a $300 million investment within the British company in August 2021.
While French geostationary operator Eutelsat is searching for regulatory permission to purchase out Hanwha Systems and other OneWeb investors, the South Korean firm said it also plans to supply parts for OneWeb’s second-generation — an indication of its long-term commitment to the enterprise.
Hanwha Systems has also invested in two antenna makers in recent times to construct out its space ambitions: U.S.-based Kymeta and Phasor Solutions of the UK.
In 2021, Hanwha Systems unveiled plans to construct and deploy 2,000 LEO satellites by the tip of the last decade, specializing in providing connectivity to urban cargo-delivery drones and passenger airplanes.
The corporate didn’t provide an update on these plans in a news release announcing its registration as a communications business operator.