The multi-million dollar, multi-year reseller agreement will see the managed service provider Sky Fiber provide turnkey, satellite-based capacity and connectivity solutions, such as mobile/wireless backhaul and IP trunking. It is hoped the partnership will enable Sky Fiber to supply ‘fibre-like’ connectivity to the underserved and developing markets of south east Asia.
“The incredible growth in demand for mobile internet data in the region is creating a vacuum in mobile backhaul for which the O3b Networks satellite constellation offers the most elegant solution,” said Tom van der Heyden, CEO, Sky Fiber.
“We combine mobile/wireless backhaul and IP trunking to offer south east Asia connectivity turn-key options - at a reduced price. The end result will be an enhanced internet user experience, extended education, and improved off-shore operational efficiencies - all contributing to the economic growth of the region.”
For O3b Networks, the move represents its first reseller deal in South East Asia as it continues to build a satellite-based global internet backbone for telcos and ISPs in emerging markets. The company, which has investment and operational support from the likes of Google, SES and Liberty Global, is expected to launch its first eight satellites in 2013.
“O3b now has contracts in Africa, Asia, the Middle East and the Pacifics, demonstrating that we are a truly global company. We are excited to see the benefit our unique Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite capacity will have on the economic growth in south east Asia and look forward to supporting Sky Fiber in expanding their regional service offering,” said John Finney, CCO, O3b Networks .
The move highlights the resurgence of satellite technologies and the new territories that the satellite industry is continuing to explore, which was recently the focus of a full length feature in the May edition of Capacity magazine (see here).
A new report from the Satellite Industry Association (SIA) also identifies that revenues for the global satellite industry grew by 5% in 2010 to $168.1 billion. This shows an 11.2% average annual growth rate for the industry over the past five years.
