SES Networks and Southern Cross Cables Bolster Connectivity Resilience in Pacific region

Advertisement

 Luxembourg, 12 January 2021 –Southern Cross Cables Limited (SCCL) will leverage SES

Networks’ satellite-enabled connectivity services to vastly improve communications between


Nukunonu of Tokelau, Kiritimati Island of Kiribati and the rest of the world as it upgrades the

undersea Southern Cross cable network, SES announced today.

The Southern Cross cable network, in use since 2000, is a key internet gateway for the Pacific

region. SCCL is laying a new cable, Southern Cross NEXT, to augment and ultimately replace

the existing Southern Cross cable network. This is part of SCCL’s plan to provide enhanced

network resilience and connectivity services to meet fast-growing market demand for internet

connectivity in the Pacific region.

SES’s O3b constellation of medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites will be used to connect remote

stations on the incoming Southern Cross NEXT cable network during its commissioning phase.

The satellite services provided will ensure that the undersea cable network gets a connectivity

boost right away, even as work to upgrade the existing Southern Cross systems and implement

Southern Cross NEXT are taking place.

SES Networks will provide a managed O3b network service to the remote stations, using a rapidlydeployed satellite terminal that delivers fibre-like performance with a low latency of less than

150ms round trip.

“We are glad to have a partner in SES Networks that is well-known in the region for providing

tried-and-tested, fibre-like, high-speed connectivity services through its O3b constellation. As we

work on laying the groundwork to improve connectivity, network resilience and network

performance with the incoming Southern Cross NEXT network, we needed a strong and robust

satellite network which could perform at the same level of low-latency, high-availability standards

as our incoming next-generation cable network. SES’s solution not only fit the bill, but actually far

exceeded our stated requirements,” said Laurie Miller, CEO of SCCL.

“This cooperation with Southern Cross is of utmost importance because it truly shows the

complementary nature of satellite and undersea cable networks. It is a great example of how the

entire network ecosystem can work together to ensure the Pacific region – with thousands of

islands and vast open seas in between – remain connected at all times,” said John Turnbull,

Director for Australia and the Pacific region of SES Networks. “The unparalleled reach of satellites

and its ability to be rapidly deployed can complement and augment large-scale terrestrial

infrastructure, delivering more connectivity resilience wherever you are, anytime you need it. With

demand for connectivity and data consumption growing at an accelerating pace across the 

Pacific, we believe this hybrid network infrastructure is going to benefit businesses and

communities greatly.”


Advertisement

Previous Post Next Post