SES Partners with O3b to Provide Internet Capacity to Digicel to Expand their Cellular Network Services across Papua New Guinea

ST. JOHN, Channel Islands & LUXEMBOURG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--O3b Networks and SES (Paris:SESG)(LuxX:SESG) announced today that Digicel has contracted capacity on SES' NSS-9 satellite and O3b's Medium Earth Orbit fleet to provide high quality internet bandwidth for their cellular network in Papua New Guinea.

“As a long-term partner of Digicel, we understand their business needs and are pleased to meet them again by collaborating with O3b Networks”

Under the multi-year agreement, the fast growing mobile phone network provider will use the C-band capacity on the NSS-9 satellite at 183 degrees East and the O3bTrunk service to continue to deliver high-quality voice and high-speed mobile data services to its customers across Papua New Guinea.

"As a long-term partner of Digicel, we understand their business needs and are pleased to meet them again by collaborating with O3b Networks," said Ferdinand Kayser, Chief Commercial Officer at SES. "The contract with Digicel is a fine example of how geostationary and Medium Earth Orbit satellites complement each other to offer a unique connectivity solution. The comprehensive coverage of the NSS-9 satellite, coupled with the high throughput and low latency offered by the O3b constellation, will enable Digicel to provide reliable and cost-efficient cellular network services to their customers in Papua New Guinea."

"Digicel is an innovator in mobile services in the Pacific region. O3b is pleased to support their ongoing innovation with a cost-effective solution to extend coverage with O3b's high capacity, low latency satellite transport," said Steve Collar, CEO of O3b Networks.

John Mangos, CEO of Digicel Papua New Guinea, commented on the agreement, “We at Digicel are continually looking to ensure the best possible customer experience by innovating and delivering the best technology to our customers across the Pacific region. We look forward to working with SES and O3b Networks to expand our network capacity to service our growing customer base in Papua New Guinea.”

SES and O3b Networks will be at PTC 2013 from January 19 to 23. SES' Vice President of Asia-Pacific Glen Tindall will participate in a roundtable "Broadcasters and the Carrier ID Initiative" on January 20 at 11am. Steve Collar will speak at the Executive Insight Roundtable "Improving Efficiency and Expanding Horizons” on Monday January 21 at 11:45am.

####

About O3b Networks Ltd.

O3b Networks Ltd. is a global satellite service provider building a next-generation satellite network for telecommunications operators, Internet service providers, enterprise and government customers in emerging markets. The O3b system will combine the global reach of satellite with the speed of a fiber‐optic network providing billions of consumers and businesses in nearly 180 countries with low‐cost, high‐speed, low latency Internet and mobile connectivity. O3b Networks’ investors are SES, Google, Liberty Global, HSBC Principal Investments, Northbridge Venture Partners, Allen & Company, Development Bank of Southern Africa, Sofina, Satya Capital and Luxempart. O3b Networks is headquartered in St. John, Jersey, Channel Islands.

About SES

SES is a world-leading satellite operator with a fleet of 52 geostationary satellites. The company provides satellite communications services to broadcasters, content and internet service providers, mobile and fixed network operators and business and governmental organisations worldwide.

SES stands for long-lasting business relationships, high-quality service and excellence in the broadcasting industry. The culturally diverse regional teams of SES are located around the globe and work closely with customers to meet their specific satellite bandwidth and service requirements.

SES (Euronext Paris and Luxembourg Stock Exchange: SESG) holds participations in Ciel in Canada and QuetzSat in Mexico, as well as a strategic participation in satellite infrastructure start-up O3b Networks. Further information under: www.ses.com.