O3b Networks

What is special about it? I've heard about Teledesic story happened more than 10 years ago. At a glance O3b Networks offers similar things. Then again, what is special? Could it happen that they just repeat the old story again? Hmmm, to be honest, I don't know .. :-D .. What attracts me for the first time to O3b because it's Google's! :-D ... I see that Google always innovates cleverly, offering people good stuff and often for free!! Now, that they've backed O3b, it should be something different, right? :-D .. As I wrote this, if everything okay, I'll meet some of O3b guys tomorrow. But let's open our eyes and look a bit more deep at their concept.. :-D



O3b Networks

In 2010, bandwidth access will get cheaper, faster and easier for most of the world. O3b Networks is building a new telecommunications infrastructure offering low-latency links from 1 Mbps to 10 Gbps for core trunking, instant fiber-path and 3G Cellular backhaul. Lowering access costs, increasing availability and bridging the digital divide, O3b Networks will enable emerging-market operators and ISPs to make the Internet a truly global and ubiquitous experience.

"Fiber speeds, Satellite reach - 3G/WiMAX Wireless Backhaul and IP Trunking"

"Connecting the other 3 billion"

Low Latency: O3b Networks' system virtually eliminates the delay of standard GEO satellites by reducing the round-trip transmission time from over 0.5 second to just 1/10 of a second. The reduced round-trip delay creates a web experience closer to terrestrial systems such as DSL or Optical Fiber.

Coverage: With O3b Networks, you can provision fiber-quality backhaul virtually anywhere you like with no need for digging or building extensive terrestrial backhaul networks.

Scalability: A minimum constellation of five satellites is needed to cover 360 degrees over the Earth. O3b Networks’ initial launch phase will exceed this number by more than two satellites. As demand rises, new satellites will be launched to increase network capacity. New satellites cost much less than submarine cable, without being restricted to a landing station at the beach. The O3b Networks satellites can bring gigabits of bandwidth directly to where it is needed.

Simplicity: All you do is plug in the Ethernet cable.

Redundancy and Reliability: Carrier Class requires a redundant system. Multiple paths and redundant components. O3b’s self-healing network is designed with redundancy at every point in the network. The entire system is designed as a RAID (redundant array of independent devices). Each satellite has both internal and external redundancy. Losses of components or even entire satellites are automatically compensated for. From your network, your links have multiple paths, whether back to an O3b Gateway with our Fi2 fully terminated services, or from any point to any point you decide.

System Design
O3b Networks is launching a satellite-based telecommunications infrastructure that will literally circle the world. Utilizing a redundant array of powerful satellites, each exceeding 10 Gbps of throughput, O3b Networks will offer low-cost, fiber-quality core backhaul services for cellular, fixed-line, and Internet service providers.

Construction is underway at Thales Alenia Space, with delivery scheduled in the second half of 2010.

Designed to bridge the digital divide for emerging markets and lesser-developed countries, O3b Networks’ system offers reliable web 2.0-compliant, fiber-quality backhaul anywhere in Africa, Australia, Asia, Pacific Islands and Latin America with no capital expenditure for a low monthly fee.

If you are a telecom operator who wants more bandwidth for your customers, reach out to us and we will bring the Internet right to you.

The space vehicle is designed, integrated and tested, by Thales Alenia Space. Leveraging the heritage redundant service module design and manufactured utilizing an innovative island production approach. The unique payload system design enables flexibility of antenna usage and graceful degradation. The first eight space vehicles will be in orbit by 4th quarter, 2010.

The Ka-Band payload is designed to enable the high speed flow of data between locations on the ground. Twelve (12) fully steerable antennas ensure an optimized connection to the area where data is needed. The payload portion uses existing Ka-Band repeater technology to allow for straightforward allocation of the bandwidth anywhere within the 500 km diameter area on the ground which is illuminated.

The flexible configuration of the satellite allows for inter-antenna data transfer in a variety of ways. Thus, trunking between two points is simple, or trunking between many points is also possible. The steerable antennas can be moved onto a location in minutes and each provide up to 1.25Gbps of throughput.

The service module provides platform three axis pointing stabilization. The 3-axis control is provided by a combination reaction wheels, torque rods and reaction engine assemblies. Attitude determination is provided by earth and fine sun sensors in conjunction with an inertial measurement unit. A GPS Navigation Unit provides orbit position. Power is supplied by two gallium arsenide solar arrays and a Li Ion battery.