Norsat to Supply Microwave Components for O3b Constellation
By Rebecca Lincks | March 20, 2013
[Satellite TODAY 03-20-13] Norsat International has been selected as an authorized supplier of microwave components for O3b Networks ground terminals, the communications solutions provider announced March 20.
Norsat will provide the launch of O3b’s next generation Ka-Band satellite constellation with O3b custom frequency 5W and 10W Block Upconverters (BUCs) and Low-Noise Blocks Downconverters (LNBs). The constellation aims to deliver telecommunications and data backhaul from remote locations and provide maritime customers with consumer broadband internet services. This multi-million dollar, multi-year project aims to integrate Norsat’s LNBs into maritime systems in order for O3b to provide high-speed satellite-delivered broadband service at sea by summer 2013.
“We’re pleased to be selected as a preferred vendor to O3b Networks and look forward to building the first Medium Earth Orbit satellite constellation through this partnership,” Norsat President and CEO Dr. Amiee Chan said in a statement. “The customizations we’ve introduced to our leading edge microwave products make them ideal for projects with high reliability requirements, such as communications at sea. This new partnership with O3b is another milestone as we deliver on our mission to develop innovative communications products and services for challenging applications and environments.”