O3b Networks, which helped create Africa's first commercial 3G mobile and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network, has taken another gigantic step forward  in an effort to transform communications in Central Africa  with its next generation satellite constellation, offering faster, better and more affordable connectivity across the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Announcing a major long-term capacity deal to the leading Internet service provider in Congo, O3b Networks is readying itself to provide over 500 Megabytes of ultra low-latency capacity that will allow more than 70 million people across the state enjoy high-speed broadband services in an affordable manner.

O3b Networks will deliver a new level of connectivity, with fiber-like speed and quality featuring sub 150 millisecond latencies and breakthrough affordability and reliability. This innovative and long awaited technological offering is directed at freeing Africa from its shackled, limited and expensive legacy solutions.

Thus the capital city of Kinshasa and neighboring Brazzaville, which until now have been without broadband connectivity, will be assured of affordable and ubiquitous bandwidth with the performance and speed of fiber as will other cities in the Republic of Congo.

“By delivering highly affordable and ubiquitous bandwidth with the performance and speed of fiber, DRC will instantaneously move from one of the worst connected to one of the best connected places on the planet, spurring rapid economic and social development in the region,” observed Omar Trujillo, vice president, O3b Networks, Africa.

In addition, O3b will also work toward connecting urban hubs and rural villages through the use of mobile backhaul services and its next generation IP trunking solution while its unique medium-earth-orbit satellite fleet enables affordable, high-speed connectivity in places where traditional satellite and fiber offerings are unavailable or extremely costly.

With the O3b system becoming well positioned to combine the global reach of satellite with the speed of a fiber-optic network, billions of consumers and businesses in nearly 180 countries are expected to benefit from the low-cost, high-speed, low latency Internet and mobile connectivity.

Ranked amongst the top 50 global technology trendsetters in 2008, O3b Networks has also signed a major capacity deal on O3b's high bandwidth Medium Earth Orbit satellite fleet with West Africa Telecom, one of Liberia's leading Internet service providers.