FRENCH GUIANA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--O3b Networks, the world’s first fiber-speed, satellite network is launching its first four satellites in to orbit today.

What started as a visionary idea six years ago in the jungles of Rwanda to solve the challenge of limited affordable international connectivity, has become a state of the art satellite network providing billions of people across Africa, Latin America, The Middle East, Asia and The Pacific access to fast and affordable internet for the first time.

The first four O3b satellites have been built, tested and are poised at the top of the Soyuz rocket waiting to be launched in to orbit. O3b’s ground systems around the world are in place ready to communicate with and operate the newly launched satellites while O3b staff and customers have gathered at the Guiana Space Centre for the launch which is scheduled to take place at 15.53, local time (18.53 UTC; 20.53 CEST).

O3b CTO, Brian Holz, said:

“We are ready. The countdown has begun. In a few short hours, our satellites will be coming over the horizon for the first time. We are very close to launching a network that has the potential to change lives in very tangible ways and that is a tremendous feeling.”

O3b’s second four satellites will be launched in September and operations will start in November.

About O3b Networks Limited

O3b Networks Limited 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 include SES, Google, Liberty Global, HSBC Principal Investments, Northbridge Venture Partners, Allen & Company, Development Bank of Southern Africa, Sofina, Satya Capital and Luxempart. O3b Networks is headquartered in St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands.

www.o3bnetworks.com

All four O3b satellites are mounted to the dispenser. (Photo: Business Wire)

O3b Fairing and Composite attached to the top of the Soyuz rocket. (Photo: Business Wire)