Archive for the 'O3b Networks' Category
Jan 07, 2010, post by Satellite News
A new global satellite system due for launch late this year may help further democratize cheap internet access in Nigeria and indeed, the entire developing world. The system will be deployed by the Jersey-based O3b Networks, whose name stands for the ‘other three billion’ people in developing countries.
who don’t have access to the Internet. Google Inc., Liberty Global and HSBC are delivering financial lifeline for the project because of their interest in making forays into the hugely untapped emerging markets.
According to the firm, the satellite-based infrastructure will bring Internet access to countries in Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East.
Traditional communication satellites orbit the Earth at an altitude of around 22,000 miles, which can limit signal strength and bandwidth. But O3b will use cheaper medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites with an altitude of around 6,000 miles, which will deliver a stronger signal.
O3b has already begun production of the 16 satellites. Once operational, it will deliver speeds of up to ten gigabits per second, comparable to Internet access speeds available in the developed world. As demand increases, more satellites will be launched, according to Greg Wyler, chief executive officer of O3b Networks.
High-speed Internet access will bring a series of advantages to developing countries, including locally generated content, widespread e-learning, telemedicine and other enablers of social and economic growth, he adds.
Wyler says the satellite-based network will have significant advantages over broadband systems that use expensive materials such as fibre optic cables, and could potentially reduce the cost of Internet access in developing countries ten-fold.
O3b say underwater fibre networks that currently form the ‘backbone’ of developing world communications are extremely limited in providing Internet access.
But one of the hurdles to cheap high-speed access is gaining government licensing and working with telecom monopolies. Alan Jackson, chief technical officer at Aptivate, a nongovernmental organisation that provides information technology services for international development, said that access is not about finding a “techno-fix”.
Jackson warns that satellite-based high speed Internet — compared to cable broadband — might not necessarily result in cheap, affordable connectivity for people in developing countries.
May 04, 2009, post by Satellite News
O3b Networks, a global leader in the development of internet connections system based on satellites, aiming to build from the ground up the system enabling IT operations in the regions without landline broadband on-line access, is growing rapidly in spite of the crisis. More and more countries in the 3rd World sees ICT as chief dynamic factor of economic growth and this means firm financing of such projects. The O3b Networks headquarters announced on April 23rd $400 million in contracts for services. Deployment costs only of the first eight satellites will amount to $500 millions.
“Customer demand for international trunking and cellular backhaul remains strong, allowing us to beat our internal forecasts again last quarter,” Greg Wyler, the company founder and Chief Executive Officer said. “Our low latency, high bandwidth, affordable solution allows us to tap into the global pent up demand of emerging markets. Customers appreciate the low latency and low costs we can achieve while maintaining a strong business model which works for our investors. To meet this growing demand we have now opened a regional office in the UAE and increased our sales team in the Asian region.”
By 2010 O3b plans to launch 16 satellites into orbit to provide inexpensive Internet service to billions of users in remote areas of the world, based on a fiber-optic network. By allowing direct connection to core networks and 3G Cellular/WiMAX towers, the O3b Networks system should make possible a great leap forward in the field of communication services and the computerisation for many hitherto poorly-developed countries.
Indeed there were doubts regarding the real internet growth possibilities on the African continent even under conditions of a low-priced access to this solution.
In a January 7, 2009 CNN video, contrary to the previous allegations by the news agencies, is claimed there are no any significant number of computer users on the vaste areas of African continent unless governmental agencies.
sources: http://www.tradingmarkets.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O3b_Networks,_Ltd.
Mar 25, 2009, post by Artur Ślesik
Direct On PC Ltd Nigeria signs multi-year, multi-million dollar contract with O3b Networks Leading Network Operator and Internet/Intranet Services Provider in Nigeria and West Africa signs contract for high capacity, low latency bandwidth Technology.
O3b Networks Limited (O3b) the developer of a new fibre quality, satellite-based, global Internet backbone infrastructure announced today that Direct On PC Ltd (DOPC), a leading Internet and Intranet Services Provider in Nigeria and West Africa has signed a multi-year, multi-million dollar contract for services with O3b Networks, Ltd.
DOPC has selected O3b’s QuickSTART and QuickVAR carrier services to significantly expand the capacity and geographic coverage of the DOPC backbone network. DOPC currently deploys satellite, wireless, and WiMax broadband solutions on cutting edge technologies for enterprise and residential customers in Nigeria and West Africa.
O3b Networks Limited, funded principally by Google Inc., Liberty Global, Inc. and HSBC Principal Investments, is building the world’s first ultra-low-latency, fibre speed, satellite network. The network is designed to improve Internet access for millions of consumers and businesses in emerging and developing markets.
“After due diligence, we decided to sign for a large capacity of bandwidth to substitute for fibre connectivity across Nigeria.
Especially in geographic regions where microwave and fibre connectivity will always prove a challenge”, said Mahesh Sadhwani, Vice Chairman, DOPC. “With this technology we will have a ?fibre in the sky’ solution for our WiMax, VOIP and Enterprise class Internet and Intranet solutions. This solution will compete with fibre class connectivity in terms of latency, uptime, pricing and will enable us to quickly deploy fibre like services anywhere in Nigeria at a very rapid pace and economical cost.” “We are thrilled that DOPC awarded O3b this significant contract after a lengthy and competitive selection process” said John Finney, EVP Global Sales and Marketing, O3b Networks, Ltd. “Carriers and service providers worldwide are realizing the significant advantages of O3b’s solutions.
O3b provides ?fiber quality’ service from a next generation satellite platform in high capacity and low latency terms but with substantially more geographic coverage than fiber. Our services are ?carrier class’ due to O3b’s system wide redundancy and right price to help operators cope with the pressures of higher bandwidth requirements and competitive prices. With O3b’s QuickSTART service, we provide a risk mitigated, carrier managed service that allows rapid deployment into fast developing markets around the globe.” About O3b Networks Limited O3b Networks Limited is building a new fiber-quality,satellite-based, global Internet backbone for telecommunications operators (telcos) and Internet service providers (ISPs) in emerging markets. The O3b Networks system will combine reach of a satellite with the speed of a fibre-optic network. With investment and operational support from Google Inc., Liberty Global, Inc. and HSBC Principal Investments, the O3b Networks system will provide telcos and ISPs with a low-cost, high-speed alternative to connect their 3G, WiMAX and fixed-line networks to the rest of the world.
more > tmcnet.com
