Broadband provider Quark forges agreement with O3b

Guyanese broadband provider Quark Communications has signed a multi-million dollar contract with satellite based backhaul provider O3b Networks. Quark expects to complete a network running the full length of Guyana’s coast by next year, in time for the planned launch of O3b. O3b will provide the world’s first backhaul based on a ultra-low-latency, medium earth orbit (MEO), Ka-band satellite system that the company assures will allow for cuts in internet costs in emerging markets. Currently Quark provides satellite communications to inaccessible rural areas, mainly for corporations (particularly gold miners), as well as indigenous people that make up some 10% of the population. Quark’s initial order from O3b is for 310Mbps of bandwidth, which the company is optimistic will all be pre-sold by the end of the year.