Palau Telecoms Upgrades Capacity over Advanced O3b Satellite Network, Continuing to Fuel Economic Growth

Substantial growth in subscriber data usage compels Palau mobile operator’s second upgrade within first year of contract with O3b

ST. HELIER, Jersey--()--O3b Networks today announced that Palau Telecoms, a leading provider of information and communications (ICT) services in Palau, has upgraded capacity for the second time since launching the O3b service in January 2015. The increased throughput enables Palau Telecoms to continue the rollout of advanced cellular and wireless television networks across the island nation.

Palau Telecoms first provided its subscribers high throughput, low latency connectivity over the O3b link in January 2015. But an immediate and sustained surge in data usage signaled additional capacity would quickly be needed, and the company upgraded in September 2015, followed by yet another upgrade in December.

Located in the western Pacific Ocean, Palau’s 21,000 people are spread across 250 islands, which do not have access to undersea fiber cable. The use of O3b satellites-which are closer to the earth than conventional geostationary (GEO) satellites-reduces latency, increases internet speed and improves voice and video quality for the user.

“Palau Telecoms is pleased to be able to again expand our partnership with O3b, empowering our country and its citizens to reimagine what is possible, from tourism to business to education,” said Sam Masang, CEO of Palau Telecoms. “For the second time we have expanded our bandwidth with O3b, whose proven network provides the low latency vital for the applications and solutions our customers want.”

“O3b is pleased to have a strong and strategic partnership with Palau Telecoms and enable the people of Palau to experience new applications and better performance,” said Imran Malik, VP of Asia Pacific & the Middle East for O3b Networks. “The O3b mission is to bring the same quality of connectivity people enjoy in major cities on the mainland, to island populations, and Palau Telecoms has helped deliver that to their subscribers.”

About O3b Networks Limited

O3b Networks Limited is a global satellite service provider operating a next-generation satellite network for telecommunications operators, Internet service providers, enterprise and government customers in emerging markets. The O3b system combines 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.

About Palau Telecoms

Palau Telecoms was pioneered by Palau Communications & Electronics Company (PCEC), which has been operating since 1987 under Palau Equipment Company Inc. It began with providing communications through UHF, VHF, and SSB Radios.

Palau Telecoms was added to the company to bring broadband, wireless internet to the island and give businesses and consumers a choice when it comes to internet services.

For more information, please visit www.palautelecoms.com.

Contacts

O3b Marketing
Jason Wauer
pr@o3bnetworks.com
or
SpeakerBox Communications for O3b
Kate Nesbitt, 703-287-7814
knesbitt@speakerboxpr.com

Release Summary

O3b Networks announced Palau Telecoms, a leading provider of information and communications (ICT) services, has upgraded capacity for the second time since launching the O3b service last year.

Contacts

O3b Marketing
Jason Wauer
pr@o3bnetworks.com
or
SpeakerBox Communications for O3b
Kate Nesbitt, 703-287-7814
knesbitt@speakerboxpr.com