First Tech Web selects Albabtain LeBlanc
September 20, 2023
First Tech Web Company – a joint venture between OneWeb, the UK-based global communications agency and low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite service provider, and TONOMUS, a tech company powering an ecosystem of cognitive technologies at NEOM – has selected Albabtain LeBlanc, a Saudi Arabian construction company, to construct a satellite station in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
The station will form part of the joint venture’s ground infrastructure, supporting the mission of bridging the digital divide across Saudi Arabia and the broader MENA region by providing consistent access to high-speed, low-latency internet connectivity to people and businesses in remote and underserved areas. The station is expected to be completed by the end of 2023, as Albabtain LeBlanc joins OneWeb’s roster of partners across the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Alaska.
“We are excited to partner with Albabtain LeBlanc to build our satellite station in Tabuk,” said Laith Hamad, CEO of the OneWeb TONOMUS. “This partnership is a key milestone in our efforts to bring high-speed internet access to people and businesses in Saudi Arabia and around the world.”
“We are proud to partner with the OneWeb TONOMUS J.V. on this important project,” said Saleh Al Bedaiwi, General manager of Albabtain LeBlanc. “This collaboration is a testament to our commitment to supporting the development of the Kingdom’s digital economy.”
The construction of the satellite station in Tabuk is part of the joint venture’s ongoing efforts to extend its ground network. The announcement follows OneWeb’s appointment as Observer Member by the Digital Cooperation Organization (DCO). The role will allow the company to gain and provide insights into the initiatives the DCO is undertaking across member nations, including Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Jordan, Morocco and Pakistan, as well as the broader digital world to accelerate the growth of the digital economy across DCO member populations.
The network built by OneWeb will also be used to support a variety of applications, such as telemedicine, education and agriculture.