An O3b satellite prior to launch. Photo: O3b Networks.

[Via Satellite 02-23-2015] The United States General Services Administration (GSA) has approved the addition of products and services from O3b Networks to Telecommunications Systems’ (TCS) IT Schedule 70 contract. The approval enables TCS to offer O3b satellite services and products including modems, antennas, routers and Block UpConverters (BUCs) to local, state and federal government organizations through the widely used acquisition vehicle. The Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security will have access to O3b satellite offerings, along with the Department of Commerce for FirstNet through TCS’ GSA IT Schedule 70 contract.

TCS provides fixed and transportable communications by terrestrial, wireless and satellite networks. The company partnered with O3b in 2014 to provide customers with high throughput, low latency service through its constellation of satellites in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO).