Comments on: O3b Networks – not a reprise of Teledesic (except perhaps in its ultimate fate?) https://tmfassociates.com/blog/2008/09/08/o3b-networks-not-a-reprise-of-teledesic-except-perhaps-in-its-ultimate-fate/ Satellites, spectrum and other stuff Tue, 03 Feb 2026 21:36:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: snowyowlster https://tmfassociates.com/blog/2008/09/08/o3b-networks-not-a-reprise-of-teledesic-except-perhaps-in-its-ultimate-fate/comment-page-1/#comment-7 snowyowlster Thu, 18 Sep 2008 01:03:52 +0000 http://tmfassociates.com/blog/2008/09/08/o3b-networks-not-a-reprise-of-teledesic-except-perhaps-in-its-ultimate-fate/#comment-7 I do understand that argument - however given that cellular backhaul in remote Africa is done over GEO satellites today and that even these satellite connections are pretty expensive and therefore transitory (as per your original posting) - I can't see how a MEO satellite could be a more economical alternative or a viable long term solution for cellular backhaul. If this venture does get further funding - it might mean that it has something else up it's sleeve. It would also be interesting to understand the Ka band spectrum situation from a regulatory point of view for MEO satellites. I wasn't aware that there was Ka spectrum available for non FSS applications. I do understand that argument – however given that cellular backhaul in remote Africa is done over GEO satellites today and that even these satellite connections are pretty expensive and therefore transitory (as per your original posting) – I can’t see how a MEO satellite could be a more economical alternative or a viable long term solution for cellular backhaul. If this venture does get further funding – it might mean that it has something else up it’s sleeve.

It would also be interesting to understand the Ka band spectrum situation from a regulatory point of view for MEO satellites. I wasn’t aware that there was Ka spectrum available for non FSS applications.

]]> By: timfarrar https://tmfassociates.com/blog/2008/09/08/o3b-networks-not-a-reprise-of-teledesic-except-perhaps-in-its-ultimate-fate/comment-page-1/#comment-3 timfarrar Tue, 16 Sep 2008 04:35:07 +0000 http://tmfassociates.com/blog/2008/09/08/o3b-networks-not-a-reprise-of-teledesic-except-perhaps-in-its-ultimate-fate/#comment-3 It appears that a key reason for using MEO satellites is to reduce the latency of the connection so O3B can position itself as an alternative to fiber. This was also an argument advanced by Teledesic, but it wasn't terribly compelling at the time, at least for Teledesic's Internet access service. If O3b wants to be the preferred solution for both voice and data traffic (which now includes a lot more VoIP) then the answer might be different. It appears that a key reason for using MEO satellites is to reduce the latency of the connection so O3B can position itself as an alternative to fiber. This was also an argument advanced by Teledesic, but it wasn’t terribly compelling at the time, at least for Teledesic’s Internet access service. If O3b wants to be the preferred solution for both voice and data traffic (which now includes a lot more VoIP) then the answer might be different.

]]> By: snowyowlster https://tmfassociates.com/blog/2008/09/08/o3b-networks-not-a-reprise-of-teledesic-except-perhaps-in-its-ultimate-fate/comment-page-1/#comment-2 snowyowlster Tue, 16 Sep 2008 01:23:23 +0000 http://tmfassociates.com/blog/2008/09/08/o3b-networks-not-a-reprise-of-teledesic-except-perhaps-in-its-ultimate-fate/#comment-2 It's pretty surprising that a MEO based constellation is being considered for a fairly conventional application like ISP backhaul. One Geo Ka Band satellite (like the proposed Viasat satellite) with spot beam based frequency reuse could provide a significant amount of bandwidth and could allow inexpensive terminals to be used so that Internet Cafes, schools, etc. could gain access to the Internet. Of course the Viasat or Wild Blue satellites require gateways in each spot and high speed access to the Internet from each Gateway - which may or may not be possible in all the regions to be covered. On the other hand, measures to provide better connectivity options to the third world are to be applauded - and perhaps the venture can get funding from the various charitable foundations which are working in that region. It’s pretty surprising that a MEO based constellation is being considered for a fairly conventional application like ISP backhaul. One Geo Ka Band satellite (like the proposed Viasat satellite) with spot beam based frequency reuse could provide a significant amount of bandwidth and could allow inexpensive terminals to be used so that Internet Cafes, schools, etc. could gain access to the Internet. Of course the Viasat or Wild Blue satellites require gateways in each spot and high speed access to the Internet from each Gateway – which may or may not be possible in all the regions to be covered.

On the other hand, measures to provide better connectivity options to the third world are to be applauded – and perhaps the venture can get funding from the various charitable foundations which are working in that region.

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