O3b Networks and RCS Communication have agreed a long-term capacity deal which will see O3b providing high-speed, low-latency capacity in the world’s newest nation, the Republic of South Sudan. Initially the deal will focus on the capital, Juba.

Juba is home to more than 300,000 people who have previously had only limited broadband connectivity. By delivering highly affordable and ubiquitous bandwidth with the performance and speed of fibre, the region will enjoy much improved connectivity, spurring both economic growth and social development. This will benefit a broad range of customers, including corporates and Non-Governmental Organisations.

Flippie Odendal, Managing Director, RCS-Communication said: " Though fibre options are being considered for South Sudan, we do not currently have fibre connectivity in country. Our WiMAX network in Juba connects to the Internet backbone via geostationary satellite solutions which are reliable, but when compared to fibre offers latency challenges. We believe that O3b brings something new to the satellite industry that uniquely addresses this limitation."

Omar Trujillo, Regional VP Africa & LatAm, O3b said: “High speed data communications have the potential to accelerate economic growth supporting entrepreneurship and multinational commerce.”

The announcement follows the successful launch of O3b’s first four satellites at the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana on June 25, 2013. The O3b network will deliver broadband connectivity everywhere on Earth within 45 degrees of latitude north and south of the equator. O3b’s vast coverage area includes emerging and insufficiently connected markets in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and Australia, with a collective population of over 3 billion people.