An O3b Networks satellite. Photo: SES GS

[Via Satellite 08-29-2016] SES Government Solutions (SES GS) has received a contract from a U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) end user for low latency satellite communications through O3b Networks. SES, the owner of SES GS, increased its stake in O3b in April, and raised the capital needed for 100 percent ownership in May. The company is now offering both geosynchronous and Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite communications services.

The O3b-enabled solution includes a satellite beam operating at less than 200 milliseconds per round trip, and will consist of a full duplex, symmetric 155 Mbps link, gateway access, a transportable 2.4-meter terminal from AvL Technologies, terrestrial backhaul, installation services, and 24/7/365 operations and maintenance activities. The contract also enables the government to order additional O3b services to meet surge requirements.

The O3b service, according to SES GS, will enable large file transfer from remote locations in minutes instead of hours, the use of cloud-based applications and information throughout most of the service area, and High Definition (HD) video.

This is SES GS’s second U.S. government customer to use O3b Networks’ services this year. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) was the first U.S. government agency to sign an agreement with the operator, that one being for an O3b high throughput solution at the Pago Pago National Weather Service office in American Samoa, which has been active since May.