On tuesday, 9th september 2008, Google Inc, HSBC investments and Liberty Global cable company launched O3b Networks (which stands for “other 3 billion”), a satellite service to bring high-speed low-cost internet connections to the world’s poorest people starting in 2010 - many of them in Africa.
O3b Networks Ltd recently announced it will deploy the world’s first ultra-low-latency, Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Ka-band, fiber-speed satellite network designed to improve Internet access for millions of consumers and businesses in emerging markets. Service activation and ground equipment is scheduled for late 2010.
Apparently, this satellite network is going to be built around a new range of satellite terminals designed specifically for O3b Networks Ltd., by Gilat Satellite Networks Ltd., a leading provider of satellite networking products and services.
"With its system deployment scheduled for late 2010, O3b Networks will bridge the digital divide by building a global Internet backbone for telecoms and ISPs in emerging markets. The Company is committed to connecting the networks of developed countries with the “other three billion” people who have limited Internet access, hence the name O3b. With investment and operational support from some of the world’s largest communications and finance companies, O3b Networks is now building a distribution network to serve a population of several billion consumers and businesses in more than 150 countries. O3b Networks’ headquarters are in St. John, Jersey, Channel Islands. Ground systems and technical development are managed through its wholly owned subsidiary in Englewood, Colorado. "
According to the Googe Africa Blog;
"O3b plans to deliver fiber-like Internet backhaul service using a constellation of medium-orbit satellites. This means data can be quickly transmitted to and from even the most remote locations such as inland Africa or small Pacific islands.
The O3b satellite constellation will provide high-speed, low-latency backhaul services at speeds reaching into the gigabits per second. The satellites will orbit the earth at about one-third the altitude of a geo-synchronous satellite, which means it takes less time for data to travel up and back. This low latency translates into better voice connections as well as a snappier web experience."
By Rollins Orlu,
Principal Web Consultant at
Darrel Technologies
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