Satellite-Based Live Coverage of Arctic Winter Games 2026
The Challenge
The 2026 Arctic Winter Games brought together nearly 2,000 athletes from across the High North for a week of competition in Whitehorse, Yukon (60°43'27"N). For broadcasters, the high-latitude location and extreme environment posed a fundamental connectivity problem: they needed easy-to-deploy live transmissions from multiple venues that a local terrestrial cellular infrastructure would struggle to connect. At extreme latitudes, cellular coverage can prioritise voice and basic data over the high-bandwidth, low-latency demands of a live broadcast.
Key challenges included:
- Limited high-speed connectivity for simultaneous HD video uplinks from multiple competition sites
- Insufficient capacity to handle peak demand when several events streamed concurrently
Families and fans watching from their remote communities across Alaska, Nunavut and Greenland depended on a solution that could stream and deliver professional-grade video from such a challenging connectivity environment.
The Critical Need
Broadcasting a major multi-venue international sports event from the high Arctic demands more than basic satellite access. The Arctic Winter Games required deployable (comms-on-the-pause), high-capacity connectivity with the reliability to support modern professional broadcast workflows simultaneously from different locations.
The broadcast operations directors had three non-negotiable requirements:
- Deployable connectivity capable of supporting live transmission from remote venues with limited infrastructure
- Integrated network management treating all vehicles and uplink points as a single coordinated system
- Traffic prioritisation for live feeds to ensure reliability during peak demand and concurrent transmissions
Low-latency performance was essential to meet broadcaster standards, whilst the system needed to handle multiple live feeds without degradation—even when multiple venues transmitted simultaneously.
The Solution: Deploying the OneWeb LEO Constellation
Canadian telecommunications company Northwestel deployed a multi-terminal configuration to deliver professional-grade broadcast connectivity across Arctic Winter Games venues:
- Mobility Service Plan: Enterprise 15/30 service tier for guaranteed bandwidth
- User terminals: OW11 and Hughes 1120 units mounted on vehicles for maximum mobility
- Vehicular deployment: Mobile installations enabling live transmission from multiple event locations
The OneWeb LEO constellation provided the low-latency, high-capacity backbone required for real-time video contribution. Operating at 1,200 km altitude across 12 orbital planes, the network ensured continuous connectivity at 60°N latitude where traditional cellular infrastructure falls short.
Service plans were swiftly configured across all broadcast vehicles, with direct access to Eutelsat support and service management teams throughout the event. This integrated approach delivered the reliability professional broadcast and video solutions demand in challenging operating environments.
The Impact
The deployment delivered reliable, high-quality broadcast coverage across all Arctic Winter Games 2026 venues, enabling families and supporters throughout the circumpolar North to stream live action. By Combining Eutelsat's OneWeb LEO constellation with Northwestel's fibre infrastructure, the solution provided integrated high-speed connectivity from one of the world's most remote sporting locations.
Our partnership with Eutelsat has made it possible for us to provide connectivity to some of the most rugged and remote locations in Northern Canada. This project reflects our broader commitment to supporting the country’s highest authorities in their vision for innovation and digital transformation across the country.
Business Development Director, Northwestel
Key outcomes included:
- Live streaming across the circumpolar region with free livestream and on-demand coverage for families and communities
- Multi-venue broadcast from 60°43′27″N demonstrating LEO performance in polar conditions
- Seamless hybrid connectivity combining LEO and terrestrial paths for professional satellite news gathering solutions
Frequently Asked Questions About Satellite-Based Live Coverage
How does LEO satellite technology support live event coverage in remote locations?
LEO satellite technology provides high-capacity, low-latency connectivity essential for professional video contribution where terrestrial infrastructure is unavailable. Operating at approximately 1,200 km above Earth, Eutelsat's OneWeb constellation delivers global coverage—including polar and high-latitude regions—with latency below that of traditional GEO systems. This enables broadcasters to transmit live video feeds in near real time, supporting multi-camera setups and simultaneous streams. The Arctic Winter Games deployment demonstrated this capability, enabling live coverage from 60°N latitude where cellular networks could not deliver necessary bandwidth or reliability.
What are the benefits of satellite-based live coverage for broadcasters?
Satellite-based live coverage offers signal reliability, scalable capacity during peak demand and seamless integration with existing production workflows. Unlike terrestrial networks that can suffer from congestion, satellite connections maintain consistent quality across vast geographies. LEO constellations deliver the low latency critical for live sports, where delays impact viewer experience. Managed service plans allow rapid configuration and traffic prioritisation, so production teams focus on content rather than connectivity logistics. For media operations directors, this means expanded viewership, optimised distribution costs and competitive advantage in reaching underserved or remote markets.
How does the OneWeb constellation enable professional video contribution?
The OneWeb LEO network operates more than 600 satellites in 12 synchronised orbital planes, providing global coverage including polar regions where traditional constellations often fall short. This architecture ensures continuous satellite visibility and seamless handovers during live broadcasts. Deployable user terminals—such as the OW11 and Hughes 1120 used at the Arctic Winter Games—can be mounted on vehicles or set up at temporary venues, with service plans swiftly configured to match event requirements. Gateway stations and Points of Presence distributed worldwide bridge the constellation to the global internet, whilst managed support ensures broadcasters have direct access to technical expertise throughout the event.
What connectivity solutions does Eutelsat offer for live broadcast events?
Eutelsat provides comprehensive satellite solutions combining both GEO and LEO capabilities within a unified multi-orbit network. The company's fleet of GEO satellites deliver high-throughput capacity and wide regional footprints, whilst the OneWeb LEO constellation adds global reach and low-latency performance. For live events, Eutelsat offers managed service plans with flexible capacity, deployable terminals for rapid setup and turnkey solutions integrating satellite with terrestrial and IP feeds. This hybrid approach supports multi-venue deployments, traffic prioritisation during peak demand and resilient backup connectivity—enabling media organisations to deliver high-quality content reliably from the world's most remote locations.