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Other 3 billion (03b) Networks
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O3b is a planned satellite system that will help provide broadband service to the world's "other 3 billion" people, generally in the equatorial region, that do not otherwise have good access.
O3b consists of 12 satellites in equatorial medium Earth orbit (MEO) at 8,062 km altitude. The satellites will be able to provide optimal service to +/-45 deg latitude, with limited service to +/-45-62 deg. Therefore, O3b will be able to provide services outside the equatorial regions, including in developed countries, although its main target area is developing countries. MEO was chosen to reduce the latency (round trip travel time) of the data connection, compared to the much larger distance/travel time to geostationary orbit and back.
The satellites will provide broadband service to "Tier 1" customers such as Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and "Tier 2" customers including cellular backhaul and VSAT network services. Because the satellites are not in geostationary orbits, customers will have to use tracking antennas to communicate with the satellites.
Each satellite provides service using ten 216 MHz channels.
O3b will operate in the fixed-satellite service, although FSS allocations do not exist throughout the anticipated frequency range.
O3b is based in Jersey, Channel Islands, and is therefore governed by Ofcom, the U.K. telecommunications regulatory authority. Its network operations center is in Virginia (USA), and its satellite operations center will be in Luxembourg. Multiple ground stations will operate around the globe.
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Frequency Bands |
| Band | Use | Service11 | Table |
| 17.8 - 18.6 GHz | O3b Networks service and gateway downlinks | Fixed-satellite | N |
| 18.8 - 19.3 GHz | O3b Networks service, gateway, and TT&C downlinks | Fixed-satellite | N |
| 27.6 - 28.4 GHz | O3b Networks service and gateway uplinks | Fixed-satellite | N |
| 28.6 - 29.1 GHz | O3b Networks service, gateway, and TT&C uplinks | Fixed-satellite | N |
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