O3b MPOWER From SES Microsoft Has Selected Us To Provide Azure Network Cloud Services
O3b mPOWER from SES Microsoft has selected us to provide Azure Network Cloud Services
SES today announced that Microsoft will be the first cloud service provider to use its next-generation medium earth orbit (MEO) system, O3b mPOWER, which is scheduled to launch in 2018. To demonstrate its Azure Orbital solutions, which integrate satellite connectivity with Azure services, Microsoft intends to make use of the MEO high-performance connectivity services provided by SpaceX and Boeing. Microsoft will use SES's current MEO to provide connectivity for the foreseeable future before transitioning to O3b mPOWER next year, according to the company.
The current O3b and upcoming O3b mPOWER satellites of SES operate in the medium earth orbit, approximately 8,000 kilometers above the surface of the planet. As soon as it becomes fully operational in 2022, O3b mPOWER will provide an unprecedented increase in flexibility as well as throughput speed and capacity to any Azure Network location on the planet.
According to William Chappell, Vice President of Azure Global at Microsoft, "Using SES' medium earth orbit system enhances the power of Azure Orbital and enables us to deliver greater resiliency and comprehensive satellite connectivity solutions for our customers." We believe that our collaboration with SES is critical to achieving our vision of multi-orbit, cloud-enabled capability to meet critical industry needs.
According to SES Networks CEO JP Hemingway, the deployment of Microsoft's ground-breaking O3b mPOWER system is yet another step in the company's collaboration with Microsoft to provide high-performance, low-latency Azure cloud services to customers around the world. O3b mPOWER will bring new levels of cloud-scale satellite connectivity, intelligent automation, and managed services to the market, allowing cloud players to expand their reach and unleash their capabilities like never before.
O3b mPOWER will be deployed at Azure Network locations as part of Microsoft's plans, which represents yet another step forward in the close collaboration between both companies. Four of SES's O3b mPOWER gateways are being co-located at or near Azure data centers. SES is also the first medium Earth Orbit (MEO) satellite connectivity partner for Microsoft Azure Orbital, as well as an Azure ExpressRoute for satellite partner. SES is also the first satellite operator to implement Open Network Automation Platform (ONAP) on Azure using Network Function Virtualization (NFV) technology.
O3b mPOWER is gaining traction in the market
As the launch of O3b mPOWER nears in the second half of this year, the system continues to gain traction with customers across a wide range of geographies and industry segments. In addition to Microsoft Azure, which was the first cloud provider to use O3b mPOWER, other O3b mPOWER customers include Orange, which uses the technology to improve enterprise and mobile networks, as well as major cruise lines such as Carnival and Virgin Voyages.
