This is not the first time that companies have joined forces to achieve such goal of offering Internet access to various locations globally. Apparently, Facebook and Google have been reported of working on similar projects as well.

Based on Richard Branson ’s blog post, Virgin Group is investing in OneWeb's multibillion-dollar plan to provide global satellite-based Internet access. This will be made possible with Virgin Galactic's LauncherOne system which will send OneWeb's satellites into orbit. In addition, he confirmed that Qualcomm would be the other initial investor in OneWeb.
PCMag reports that to initiate the project, Virgin Group and Qualcomm have agreed to heavily invest in the satellite Internet firm called OneWeb. The company might be familiar to some by its former name of WorldVu Satellites. It was founded by telecom entrepreneur and former Googler Greg Wyler.
The project aims to build, launch and operate “low-Earth-orbit satellites” which will deliver Internet access to certain parts of the world which does not have such service. It targets to send to outer space around 648 micro satellites which will be stationed around the planet’s orbit to give unparalleled Web access to as many countries as it can.
According to Branson, the targeted 648 satellites are just part of the initial plan which has been estimated to cost a whopping $2 billion. He mentioned that if the project to provide Web access around the world becomes successful, they will eventually jump to the next plan which is to launch 2400 satellites up in space. Virgin’s main man added that they would want to serve billions of people an Internet with quality reception and with affordable rates.
Based on the study made by the International Telecommunications Union, around 50 percent of the world’s population is deprived of Internet access. The plan of launching the new satellite constellation could lessen the said demographics by giving Internet access to as many people as possible.
There have been rumours that OneWeb might work with Elon Musk’s SpaceX company on the production of the satellites. However, both companies kept its mum on the possible collaboration.
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