The Cook Islands connect its citizens to broadband
JERSEY, Channel Islands & RAROTONGA, Cook Islands -- (BUSINESS WIRE) --
O3b Networks Ltd. (O3b) has signed a long term agreement with Telecom Cook Islands for the provision of 155megabits of bandwidth for Internet Connectivity to web users on the islands. The bandwidth will be supplied over O3b's Medium Earth Orbit satellite constellation that is currently under construction.
The agreement will mark a significant step change for Internet connectivity to the Cook Islands, its permanent population of approximately 15.000 citizens, as well as its up to 100.000 annual visitors. Covered by a single O3b satellite beam, supplying a coverage diameter of over 600km on the ground, the technical broadband coverage on the Cook Islands will become 100%, practically overnight.
Far greater access to information will provide equal opportunities for all citizens and incentivise islanders to adapt to a more web-centric landscape, spanning from educational and medical to commercial services. The new broadband network scenario is expected to also have a highly beneficial impact on the local economy, connecting its citizens and entrepreneurs on a par with their peers and business partners elsewhere in the world.
Cook Islands Prime Minister Jim Marurai welcomed the new arrangement with O3b, encouraged by the promise of enhanced broadband speed and internet access. "Government is receptive to and supportive of improving access to such broadband advancements, particularly as they stand to lift the ability of Cook Islanders to do business, and offer advantages for the social sectors of health and education," said Marurai, who is also the Minister responsible for Telecommunications and Information Technology"
"We are delighted to announce that Telecom Cook Islands today signed a contract reserving capacity on the O3b satellite service, dubbed "fibre in the sky". This new facility will radically improve broadband service in the Cook Islands with the potential to stimulate the economy and benefit all Cook Islanders. This is a historic occasion and a cause for celebration because it represents a major advance in the way the Cook Islands will communicate with the rest of the world. It will open up all sorts of opportunities to the residents and businesses of the country. The service is due to be operational in mid 2012," said Jules Maher, CEO of Telecom Cook Islands.
John Finney, EVP Global Sales and Marketing, O3b Networks said "At O3b Networks we are very pleased that Telecom Cook Islands has decided to enter the agreement with us and to become our first customer in the region. The capabilities of our satellite services will provide a variety of new as well as equal opportunities to the Islands' citizens"
Enhanced Internet connectivity is an essential tool to improve the communications opportunities for all citizens, independently of their specific locations. The impact of a newly established broadband communications network is of particularly high importance in those regions of the world, which today are poorly served by communications networks and infrastructures.
O3b Networks' satellite based broadband coverage solution, heralds a new era of substantially improved Internet connectivity to areas of the world that suffer from the lack of network infrastructure. O3b's pioneering solution will allow network operators to provide services quickly and at comparatively much lower infrastructure investment levels in order to establish the required network infrastructure for the delivery of broadband services.
About O3b Networks Ltd.
O3b Networks, headquartered in St. John, Jersey is building a new satellite-based, fibre-quality Internet backbone for telecommunications- and Internet service providers, operating between the latitudes of 45° north/south. O3b's next generation satellite network will reach over 3 billion consumers, businesses and organizations in more than 150 countries across Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Middle East. O3b's groundbreaking concept is endorsed by investments from SES, Google Inc., Liberty Global Inc., HSBC Principal Investments, Northbridge Venture Partners and Allen & Company.
About Telecom Cook Islands
Telecom Cook Islands Ltd is the largest provider of fixed phone, mobile and broadband services to the Cook Islands. We offer products for the home and individual users as well as corporate solutions to corporate clients (PABX, dedicated lines), international (long distance) calling services, calling cards, pay phones, credit card calling services.
CONTACT:
O3b Networks, Ltd.
Harald Melzer, +352 691 886 886
Director Global PR
harald.melzer@o3bnetworks.com