SES Networks to Provide Broadband Network for APEC 2018

Photo: SES Networks

The government of Papua New Guinea (PNG), through its implementing agency, DataCo, with the assistance of the Australian government, chose SES Networks to provide the broadband network for the 26th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum from October to December 2018. SES will provide a managed data service delivering connectivity to ensure the venues and delegates have high-speed internet access during the conference. SES said that the service will utilize capacity from its O3b Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite fleet to supplement existing capacity into PNG, as well as utilize the existing DataCo infrastructure.

To provide additional connectivity to the nation, SES Networks has created a new core network for DataCo, to help ensure detection and prevention of network intrusions. The core network connects Port Moresby to two Australian cities and includes caching systems to help ensure near-instant access to important content during the conference, such as news media and APEC-managed sites. Two connections using O3b ground stations have been added in the Port Moresby suburbs Gerehu and Boroko, and will be backhauled to gateways in Australia to ensure reliability of connectivity services.

“This investment is an important component of Australia’s broader internet connectivity support to PNG that includes the Coral Sea Cable System, which will connect Port Moresby and Sydney by a new fiber optic cable scheduled for delivery by late 2019,” said Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator the Hon Marise Payne in the release.