The Galapagos Islands. Photo: O3b Networks.

[Via Satellite 11-18-2015] O3b Networks has launched trunking services to the Galapagos Islands for CNT, the state-owned telecommunications operator of Ecuador. CNT provides fixed-line telephony, mobile, satellite TV and Internet services.

The Galapagos are composed of 13 islands with a combined population of approximately 26,000 inhabitants. The islands are also home to a large scientific community, and more than 150,000 tourist annually. CNT previously used a geostationary satellite to connect the archipelago for the past 20 years, but has since switched to O3b’s Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) constellation. The company is using O3b’s next-generation IP trunking solution, O3bTrunk, which boosts the existing link, according to the company.