ST. HELIER, Jersey--(BUSINESS WIRE)--O3b Networks today announced the successful testing of its Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite connectivity with the U.S. Navy’s 7th Fleet during a Limited Objective Experiment (LOE) during Trident Warrior 2015. Together with lead integrator Oceus Networks and partner TrustComm, Inc., O3b demonstrated, and the Navy officially evaluated, the game-changing advantages the O3b satellite constellation provides.
O3b’s state-of-the-art MEO satellites are in a unique orbit significantly closer to earth than legacy Geostationary (GEO) satellites, vastly reducing network latency. The high throughput O3b satellites also offer much greater capacity, supporting up to 1.6Gbps in a single 700km/450NM wide beam, enabling true broadband speeds even at sea.
The “Trident Warrior” experiments are designed to identify new and innovative technologies, which will enable more effective naval operational capabilities. A primary goal is to realize Network Centric Warfare capabilities; achieving a military advantage based on providing more usable information directly to operations in theater. This is enabled through robust technology amongst dispersed units, coupled with seamless communications that allow those forces to interact and share information as soon as it becomes available in an asymmetrical warfighting environment.
O3b is a unique enabler of Network Centric Warfare capabilities, which was demonstrated during “Trident Warrior.” For the exercises, O3b 1.2m maritime tracking antennas were placed on the USS Fort Worth Littoral Combat Ship (LCS-3), which achieved connectivity speeds of approximately 600Mbps (200Mbps uplink, 400Mbps downlink).
O3b, Oceus, and TrustComm were able to prove they could provide much higher broadband connectivity than Navy vessels currently receive, to a ship while in theater. This enables applications and technologies never available to the U.S. Navy including 4G/LTE, WiFi, HD video streaming and telemedicine—all of which were accomplished during “Trident Warrior.”
To watch a video tour of the USS Fort Worth (LCS-3) streamed live during “Trident Warrior” via the O3b satellite service, please visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=svlf9_BM1fg
“O3b Networks is delighted to be allowed to participate in Commander, 7th Fleet’s Trident Warrior 2015 exercises,” said “D” D’Ambrosio, EVP Government Solutions for O3b Networks. “We’ve been actively testing O3b with the Navy at SPAWAR’s SSC PACIFIC Common Optical Distribution Architecture (CODA) lab, where 7th Fleet first saw the service, but it’s great to see it deployed on a naval vessel and perform as advertised at sea.”
“Providing Maritime LTE services has been a major focus for Oceus Networks, and our partnership with O3b combines two robust technologies,” said Randy Fuerst, President and CEO of Oceus Networks. “The U.S. Navy, through Trident Warrior, was able to see first-hand how to achieve a high data rate with low latency and at an affordable cost in an operational environment.”
“TrustComm prides itself on delivering the most innovative, state-of-the-art capabilities to our customers,” said Bob Roe, CEO of TrustComm, Inc. “During Trident Warrior, the O3b service performed impressively, facilitating multiple bandwidth hungry operations simultaneously and exceeding expectations."
About O3b Networks Limited
O3b Networks Limited is a global satellite service provider offering 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 Oceus Networks
Oceus Networks Inc. provides customized broadband products and solutions to governments and enterprise customers across the globe leveraging the latest in standards-based commercial technology. Positioned as an industry leader, Oceus Networks specializes in fixed and wireless broadband solutions that enable secure, high-speed voice, video, and data communications. Privately U.S.-owned and operated, Oceus Networks’ headquarters is located in Reston, Virginia.
About TrustComm Inc.
TrustComm is the premier global provider of secure, innovative satellite communications application solutions. TrustComm combines extensive satellite access and expansive terrestrial capacity with highly effective applications to deliver best-fit, custom end-to-end solutions. For customers requiring instant, robust and easily deployable connectivity, TrustComm’s solutions provide maximum reliability across a wide range of applications, including broadband Internet access, VoIP, voice, video conferencing and data communications for business continuity, emergency response, tactical field deployment and temporary usage. As the only satellite communications provider with its own network infrastructure and 24/7 primary Network Operations Center located on a secure military base, TrustComm’s unparalleled global network and engineering expertise exceeds the security and reliability standards of its customers. For more information, please visit www.trustcomm.com.
