Ministry: OneWeb to get no frequency in absence of coordination

MOSCOW, Jan 31 (PRIME) -- Russia cannot allocate radio frequencies for U.K. satellite operator OneWeb because of a lack of frequency coordination with connection means of local operators, Deputy Digital Development Minister Oleg Ivanov told reporters late Wednesday.

OneWeb registered a local unit, OOO OneWeb, in Russia in 2017 and the same year applied for frequencies to the State Radio Frequency Commission, but no resource has been granted so far. Media reported that the Federal Security Service thinks OneWeb’s idea to cover the whole globe with the broadband Internet threatens national security.

Ivanov said the question is still open and negotiations are under way. “But there are strict requirements to security, user identification, exploitation of the radio frequency spectrum,” the official said.

Russia cannot give frequencies to OneWeb harming local operators.

“We have available frequencies, but if we look at the problem closer, there is such thing as frequency coordination. Frequency coordination between our networks, registered with the International Telecommunication Union and OneWeb have not been done and we cannot decide in favor of OneWeb until it is done. It is impossible from the procedural point of view,” Ivanov said.

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