Huawei and O3b are the world’s first to enable full 3G voice, data
and video over satellite
O3b and Huawei passed interoperation tests
St. Helier, Jersey, Channel Islands and Shenzhen, September 30, 2013 – Huawei, a
leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions provider and
O3b Networks today announced that Huawei and O3b are the first in the world to enable
full 3G voice, data and video over satellite. This follows rigorous testing of O3b’s system
in the Huawei Interoperability Lab in Shanghai, China. Furthermore, Huawei’s
telepresence, video surveillance, unified communication and datacom solutions are also
compatible with O3b’s medium-earth orbit (MEO) satellites based on corresponding test
results.
Huawei views the deployment of satellite-based rural broadband as a critical resource
for operators, governments and enterprises in remote locations or areas lacking
terrestrial infrastructure. It is also of great value to provide such services for people and
operations in rigorous environments such as marine ships, drilling platforms in the ocean,
and cities in disasters. The increasing usage and rapidly changing standards can quickly
impact an operator’s profitability and industry operation efficiency. O3b delivers MEO
satellite services with capacities four times greater than normal geostationary-earth
orbit (GEO) satellite services and a much lower latency of less than 150 ms round trip.
Huawei and O3b Networks are working together to provide an innovative service as a
suitable alternative to fiber and that significantly enhances user experience with
seamless voice, video and data communications.
Huawei will partner with O3b to establish MEO satellite backhaul for 2G/3G/4G (LTE)
systems for Malaysian service provider Maju Nusa. O3b has a major long-term 3G
capacity deal, awarded under the auspices of the Ministry of Communications, to
provide 3G mobile broadband based on Huawei’s high performance solutions to rural
communities in Malaysia.
In summary, the testing at Huawei’s facilities in China showed:
- O3b passed all simulation tests for performance and latency over UMTS/3G mobile backhaul links, including voice, data and video.
- Full data throughputs were obtained over GPRS/EDGE, 3G/HSPA, and LTE links compatible with user expectations and handset performance.
- Huawei’s telepresence, video surveillance, unified communication, datacom
solutions have smoothly interoperated with O3b’s MEO satellite simulation system.
Patrick Zhang, President, Enterprise Marketing and Solutions of Huawei, said:
“Huawei is glad to cooperate with O3b in providing high-performance satellite based
communication solutions. Huawei utilizes advanced technologies to save transmission
bandwidth, increase speed, and overcome jitter introduced by satellites. Both parties
share the same commitment in bridging the digital gap and provide specialized solutions
like distant education and e-government to raise communication standards in rural
areas.”
Steve Collar, CEO, O3b Networks, said:
“Winning Solution Partner Certification from Huawei is an excellent endorsement of our
network and further underlines the quality of our offer ahead of our commercial launch
in 2014. Huawei testing and passing O3b’s network proves that O3b is almost equivalent
to fiber for rural 3G/4G and enterprise communications deployment. By comparison, the
latency of geostationary satellites means that there is a noticeable delay in voice
conversations and many mobile data applications either perform slowly or not at all.”
About O3b Networks Limited
O3b Networks Limited (www.o3bnetworks.com) is a global satellite service provider
building a next-generation satellite network for telecommunications operators, Internet
service providers, enterprise and government customers in emerging markets. The O3b
system will combine 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 Huawei
Huawei is a leading global information and communications technology (ICT) solutions
provider. Through our dedication to customer-centric innovation and strong
partnerships, we have established end-to-end advantages in telecom networks, devices
and cloud computing. We are committed to creating maximum value for telecom
operators, enterprises and consumers by providing competitive solutions and services.
Our products and solutions have been deployed in over 140 countries, serving more than
one third of the world’s population. For more information, visit Huawei online:
www.huawei.com
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