OneWeb or Starlink: Satellite Internet Options for Arctic Ship-Based Exploration

The Arctic Ocean – vast, endless, and merciless. These are the exact thoughts you’d have about this place if you were on a research ship in the Arctic. After all, if you manage to get a peek away from the ship, all you’ll see is ice and ice-cold water.
Now, wouldn’t it be great to take a quick snap of the Arctic, and send it to your friends on Facebook, Instagram, or Snapchat? Well, you can’t do that, and it’s mostly because there’s no cell tower out in the ocean. 
Of course, no cell tower means no internet, and that means you can’t do a lot of research in real-time. That’s why, Arctic explorers have turned to satellite internet to get their work done. Such satellite connectivity offers global coverage, including areas in the Arctic. Two such companies that offer satellite internet services through low Earth orbit (LEO) connectivity are OneWeb and Starlink.

Overview of OneWeb and Starlink

Starlink and OneWeb are two big players in the race to bring satellite broadband to the masses. They might be competitors, but they’re also working in their own ways to reshape how we connect to the internet from space.
Surprisingly, the two have also teamed up on a few occasions, with OneWeb using SpaceX rockets to launch some of its satellites into orbit. Hence, while they’re both pushing to dominate the market, there’s some mutual respect and cooperation between them. 

What is Starlink?

Starlink is the brainchild of Elon Musk and SpaceX, and it’s making waves in the world of satellite internet. With a massive mega constellation of satellites orbiting the Earth, Starlink is bringing reliable, high-speed internet to people no matter where they are.
Since kicking off in 2019, Starlink has been launching satellites into orbit using SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets. Today, it’s serving over three million users across more than 60 countries, covering every continent.

What is OneWeb?

OneWeb, a UK-based company founded in 2012, also has its eyes on the prize of global connectivity. While it might not have the same buzz as Starlink, OneWeb has grown beyond its startup roots, with backing from major international investors.
Their mission is all about helping communities and businesses unlock their potential by improving access to information around the world. They’re not just in this for competition; they’re trying to make the world a more connected place.
Now, although OneWeb came before Starlink, it’s often seen as a more updated version of its most important competitor. The impact it has had on Arctic ship-based research and exploration is enough to understand why that’s the case.

OneWeb in the Arctic

According to Speedcast, the RV Polarstern is one of the world’s top polar research ships. The ship has been exploring the Arctic for decades doing research like studying climate change. 
Reliable, high-speed satellite connections are key to the Polarstern’s mission. Scientists examine the atmosphere, oceans, sea ice, and ecosystems. A cutting-edge onboard computer records and shares their data. The ship also has a smart charting system that uses satellite info to navigate, find experiment sites, and recover sensors.
RV Polarstern is currently using OneWeb’s latest LEO technology, combined with the AWS-hosted Speedcast SIGMA network management platform. This integration has opened up new possibilities for data collection, allowing researchers to gather crucial information and improve climate change predictions.

OneWeb Over Starlink in the Arctic: Why?

OneWeb and Starlink are both leaders in satellite internet, but when it comes to Arctic exploration, OneWeb may have an edge. 
The main reason for this is the fact that OneWeb satellites focus on providing global, polar coverage. Their satellite constellation orbits in a way that gives strong coverage over the Arctic, which is crucial for polar research missions. Since OneWeb operates in a polar orbit, its satellites are positioned to provide continuous service even in the far northern latitudes.
In contrast, Starlink’s current focus is on more populated areas, with its satellite constellation orbiting in mid-latitudes. Of course, Starlink is currently expanding its coverage to the poles, but its current setup is mostly to cater to military purposes. Whether or not these polar satellites will be available for Arctic research is yet to be seen. 
Also, OneWeb’s hybrid connectivity, combined with platforms like SIGMA, further strengthens the overall network management and data-gathering capabilities. This, in turn, makes it better suited for Arctic missions.
Besides, OneWeb offers 24/7 phone support and accessible troubleshooting. Hence, if needed, explorers or researchers on shore can reach out to OneWeb for assistance in real-time. Starlink, however, is exclusively reliant on email support, which limits its real-time assistance capabilities. 
Based on our discussion, it’s evident why OneWeb is a better satellite internet connectivity option than Starlink for Arctic ship-based research and exploration. While Starlink is more popular, it’s made for mass consumption, not necessarily for intense Arctic research. Hence, OneWeb takes the win here.