SES and O3b Networks have contracted Digicel to lease 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.

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.