O3b Networks Limited (O3b) the developer of a new fibre quality, satellite-based, global Internet backbone infrastructure, has announced plans to open its regional headquarters in Dubai.

O3b Networks, funded by Google, Liberty Global and HSBC Principal Investments, recently announced it will deploy the world's first ultra-low-latency, Medium Earth Orbit (MEO), Ka-band, fiber-speed satellite network.

The office, to be located in Dubai's Internet City, will serve as regional headquarters for the Middle East and African continent and will provide sales, technical support, an executive briefing center, and training facilities for the region.

The network is designed to improve Internet access for millions of consumers and businesses in emerging and developed markets, as well as selected vertical markets.

Satellite delivery is scheduled for late 2010. "Our Dubai office will allow us to place key resources near our customers" said John Finney, EVP global sales and marketing, O3b Networks.

"We expect that Dubai will become a significant center for O3b operations in the Middle East and Africa. As such, we will be placing a number of key resources in the facility giving us and our customers the broadest array of support services available."

O3b Networks Limited is building a new fiber-quality, satellite-based, global Internet backbone for telecommunications operators (telcos) and Internet service providers (ISPs) in emerging markets.

With scheduled network activation for late 2010, the O3b Networks system will combine reach of a satellite with the speed of a fibre-optic network.-TradeArabia News Service