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| [January 17, 2013] |
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The American Samoa Telecommunications Authority (ASTCA) Selects O3b Networks to Provide Low Latency, High Capacity Satellite Broadband Starting This Year.
ST. JOHN, Channel Islands & PAGO PAGO, American Samoa --(Business Wire)--
The American Samoa Telecommunications Authority (ASTCA) and O3b
Networks have signed agreements for O3b Networks to provide up to
1.2Gbps of future broadband connectivity for Internet and other services
for American Samoa starting in 2013.
O3b Networks is launching a Middle Earth Orbit constellation of
satellites that deliver fiber speed and satellite reach for Pacific
Island nations. Because O3b satellites are situated in orbit at only
8062 km over the planet, they are 4 times closer than the geosynchronous
satellites that have served American Samoa in the past. This proximity
dramatically reduces roundtrip delay for voice calls and web surfing.
The O3b constellation will be ready for service in the third quarter of
this year.
Today, the territory is served by a single submarine fiber optic cable.
The performance of the O3b satellite link will be protected by a state
of the art, dual 7.3 meter antenna array at the ASTCA Ili'ili Teleport.
The increase in capacity wil enable ASTCA and other service providers
to offer more broadband based services to the residents of American
Samoa.
Aleki Sene, Sr., Executive Director of ASTCA said, "This deal marks a
significant improvement in broadband accessibility in American Samoa.
The O3b service diversifies our route with plenty of low latency
capacity. ASTCA will continue to serve customers via our submarine fiber
optic commitments on the ASH cable; however, on the first day the O3b
constellation is operational, ASTCA will double the broadband capacity
available to territory residents. The new capacity will improve network
speeds, network reliability, and will provide redundancy, should the
submarine fiber optic system fail."
One of the reasons for the lack of broadband penetration in American
Samoa, which was surveyed to be at 4.5% Internet penetration, has been
the expensive nature of the backhaul. Both traditional satellite and
submarine fiber optic solutions have been priced well outside of
affordable for the local economy. The agreement between ASTCA and O3b
changes the broadband landscape significantly by bringing fiber optic
capacities at prices and terms that are affordable and economically
feasible for the islands' service providers. ASTCA may extend the
benefits of 03b capacity to serve all of Samoa.
John Finney, Chief Commercial Officer for O3b Networks stated, "We are
thrilled to be a part of ASTCA's plan to provide affordable,
state-of-the-art broadband capacity to all citizens, visitors and
businesses in American Samoa. O3b expects 2013 will mark the beginning
of a long and prosperous partnership with ASTCA."
About O3b Networks Ltd.
O3b Networks Ltd. is a global satellite service provider building a
next-generation satellite network for telecommunications operators,
Internet service providers, enterprise and government customers in
emerging markets. The O3b system will combine the global reach of
satellite with the speed of a fiber-optic network providing billions of
consumers and businesses in nearly 180 countries with low-cost,
high-speed, low latency Internet and mobile connectivity. O3b Networks'
investors are SES, Google, Liberty Global (News - Alert), HSBC Principal Investments,
Northbridge Venture Partners, Allen & Company, Development Bank of
Southern Africa, Sofina, Satya Capital and Luxempart. O3b Networks is
headquartered in St. John, Jersey, Channel Islands.
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