O3b Networks Ltd (O3b) has signed an agreement with Telecom Cook Islands for the provision of bandwidth for high speed Internet connectivity to an additional four Islands in the nation’s southern group (and a fifth island, Mitiaro, will receive faster internet via a microwave radio link). The bandwidth will be supplied over O3b’s Medium Earth Orbit satellite constellation which is scheduled for service in 3^rd Quarter of 2013.

In 2011, Telecom Cook Islands signed an agreement with O3b for the provision of high speed Internet connectivity for Rarotonga. This extended agreement will allow Telecom Cook Islands to cost effectively distribute the bandwidth between Rarotonga, Aitutaki, Atui, Mangaia, and Mauke. As a result, each island will receive more than 20x the bandwidth they enjoy today.

“This high speed broadband connectivity will support the Cook Islands 2011-2015 Sustainable Development goals of Infrastructure for economic growth, sustainable livelihoods & resilience; and Opportunity for all people who live in the Cook Islands,” said Jules Maher, CEO of Telecom Cook Islands.

“This new agreement with the Cook Islands showcases the benefit of fibre-like performance delivered over O3b’s unique satellite network. The ultra low latency and vast bandwidth provides everything that fibre can but in addition delivers and shares the bandwidth between several landing points across multiple distributed islands – something that fibre does not do,” said Steve Collar, CEO of O3b Networks.

The state-of-the-art broadband network will have a highly beneficial impact on the local economy of the outer Cook Islands, connecting its citizens and entrepreneurs with their peers and business partners elsewhere in the world. The new deal with O3b will allow the Cook Islands to reallocate existing satellite capacity to provide a better service to the Northern Group.

About O3b Networks Ltd.

O3b Networks is building a new fiber-quality, satellite-based, global Internet backbone for large enterprises (Oil, Gas & Mining), telecommunications operators (telcos) and Internet service providers (ISP’s). The O3b Networks system will combine global reach and the speed of a fiber-optic network. With investments and operational support from SES, Google Inc., Liberty Global, Inc. HSBC Principal Investments, Northbridge Venture Partners and Allen & Company, the O3b system will provide large enterprises and telcos with a low-cost, high-speed alternative to connect their networks to the rest of the world. This will allow consumers and businesses in more than 150 countries to benefit from high-speed Internet connectivity for educational, medical and commercial applications. O3b Networks is headquartered in St. John, Jersey, Channel Islands.

About Telecom Cook Islands

Telecom Cook Islands Ltd is the sole provider of fixed phone, mobile (Edge 2.5G) and broadband services to the Cook Islands. Telecom offers products for the home and personal use as well as more complex solutions for business clients (PABX, dedicated lines, server hosting, virtual server service, ISDN lines etc), international (long distance) calling services, calling cards, pay phones, credit card calling services.

For more information, please visit http://www.telecom.co.ck/index.php