[LINK] The Ob3 Network

[stephen at melbpc.org.au]

This new Ob3 network apparently covers all of Australia ..

http://www.o3bnetworks.com
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/O3b_Networks,_Ltd. 

Wikipedia say, "O3b Networks, Ltd. (other 3 billion) is a next generation 
network service provider building the world’s first medium Earth orbit 
satellite constellation. The network will combine the ubiquitous reach of 
satellite with the speed of fiber to deliver satellite Internet services 
and mobile backhaul services to emerging markets .."


Forbes 6/26/2013 say: http://www.forbes.com/sites/alexknapp/2013/06/26/o3b-
networks-launches-its-first-high-speed-internet-satellites/

"O3b Networks Launches Its First High Speed Internet Satellites"

O3b Networks successfully launched its first four telecommunications 
satellites on Tuesday evening, which will lay the foundation for the 
company’s planned high speed satellite internet.

O3b (which stands for the “other 3 billion” people without internet access) 
was founded in 2007 with a goal of providing high speed, low latency 
satellite internet to underserved parts of the world. 

The company, which has raised over $1 billion so far, is backed by a number 
of partners, including Google, HSBC and SES .

The company plans to have eight satellites in orbit by the end of this 
year- with the next four being launched in September. 

They’re internet coverage area is pretty much anywhere on the globe within 
45 degrees of the equator. 

This coverage area serves a lot of countries that don’t have a the 
infrastructure in place for high speed internet.

O3b’s satellites will also serve as backhaul for the ubiquitous 3G mobile 
networks in these countries. In the United States, data sent over cell 
phone networks is carried over fiberoptics. 

However, many regions around the globe lack the capital needed to build 
fiberoptic networks. O3b hopes to serve these regions by providing a 
workable alternative.

Unlike traditional telecommunications satellites, the O3b satellite 
constellation is in lower orbit, and operates on different frequencies. As 
a result, the company claims that it will be able to deliver higher 
bandwidth data with less latency than current satellite technology.

The company also claims that its system may experience less latency than 
fiberoptic cables.

The company is offering corporate networking at rates of 100, 150, 200, 
400, 600, 800, and 1000Mbps. The company already has customers signed to 
contracts to provide internet service in Latin America, Asia, the Middle 
East, and Africa. The company has also signed a deal with Royal Caribbean 
to provide high speed internet to its cruise ships.

“Working with our customers, O3b will open up a new and exciting world to 
billions of people who, up to now, have not experienced the benefits of 
fast Internet connectivity and who, as a result, are not on a level playing 
field,” O3b Chairman  John W. Dick said in a statement.

Cheers,
Stephen