O3b Satellite Network Expands Reach

O3b has expanded its reach to more than 30% of the world's population, covering over 2 billion people.

This expansion has been made possible by the addition of new satellites to the network. The O3b Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellites provide low-latency, high-speed internet connectivity to remote and underserved communities.

The O3b network now spans across the globe, with a presence in over 30 countries. This has enabled O3b to connect more people and organizations to the digital world.

O3b's MEO satellites are designed to provide connectivity to areas where traditional fiber and satellite solutions are not feasible.

Suggestion: O3b MPOWER

The O3b satellites are a next-generation medium Earth orbit broadband network, built by Boeing for SES. They're designed to provide high-speed internet connectivity to remote and underserved areas.

The initial six satellites had issues with power trips, which reduced their operational life and broadband capacity. These issues were caused by electrical problems that sporadically tripped off power modules.

Discover more: SES Broadband

Boeing has since redesigned the power modules on the satellites, and the first two upgraded satellites have been shipped to Cape Canaveral in Florida. They're due to launch on a SpaceX rocket in December.

SES proceeded with launching the fifth and sixth satellites without hardware changes, allowing them to start providing commercial services in April. However, this meant that these satellites wouldn't be able to reach their full performance expectations.

Boeing is building two more satellites beyond the initial 11-satellite O3b mPower contract to achieve the constellation's original performance expectations. This will add a "meaningful increase in much-needed incremental capacity" to the network.

By 2027, the O3b constellation will have triple the available capacity, with seven fully capable satellites plus the initial six impaired satellites as spares. This will provide a powerful and reliable network for customers.

Discover more: Satellite Internet Constellation

O3b's space and ground infrastructure has been built with over $1 billion in funding, with key backers including Google and SES, one of the big players in the traditional satellite communications business.

The O3b project has taken about six years to come together, with a unique architecture that aims to improve the poor communications experience of the three billion people expected to benefit from it over the coming decade.

Thales Alenia Space (TAS) has completed the second batch of four spacecraft for O3b and is currently working on units 9-12, with a goal to deliver them early next year.

The satellites will be tested and handed over to O3b in roughly one month, with TAS responsible for the Launch and Early Orbit Phase (LEOP) activities.

O3b has secured a debt facility of over $0.5 billion from HSBC, ING, CA-CIB, and Dexia, with the French export credit agency Coface underwriting the deal.

Here are the key players involved in the O3b project: