WildBlue Satellite Services

As mentioned in the previous posts, O3b Networks will utilize Ka-Band. They are surely not the first who use that frequency band for commercial satellite services. Personally, I remembered "WildBlue" when I, for the first time, read about O3b Networks. Sure, if we look at the type of satellites they use and the services they offer, O3b and WildBlue are completely different. But I see they share the same idea: reinventing satellite technology for broadband purposes. Though, I'm a bit dissapointed to know that O3b can "only" achieve a bit more than 1 Gigs/beam or around 10 Gigs/satellite... :-D .. I did hope for a bigger figure :-D

O3b Networks - Latency

Below is a table showing a comparison of some latency figures of the O3b and a typical geosynchronous satellite system. The O3b Networks MEO orbit constellation is at an altitude of 8,063 Kilometers, while the geosynchronous satellite at 35,786 Kilometers.

O3b Networks - 2

Below are several quotes mentioning O3b Networks from media/third parties' point of view.

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