Optus to link with laser-based satellite comms

Optus Satellite and UK company Laser Light Global have announced a new venture to enhance the capability of Laser Light’s All Optical Hybrid Global Network, using Optus’s Australian satellite facilities and terrestrial fibre networks.

The companies say the collaboration will enable Optus to offer increased bandwidth for its customers by improving data transmission rates and more cost-effective network management between Laser Light’s All-Optical Hybrid Global Network and Optus’s fixed fibre networks.

Optus will become a preferred supplier and local distributor of SPACECABLE, Laser Light’s space-based laser communications service.

When fully deployed in 2018, the All Optical Hybrid Global Network, or ‘HALO’, will become the world’s first commercial laser-based satellite network entirely operated using optical spectrum rather than radio frequency.

By combining the reach of satellites, with the power of laser optics, HALO is designed to deliver data transmission rates up to 100 times greater than conventional high-frequency satellite systems.

The HALO satellite constellation will consist of eight to 12 medium-Earth-orbit satellites that will connect with terrestrial and undersea fibre networks, providing SpaceCable services to carriers, enterprises and government customers under carrier-grade, industry-standard service level agreements.

When operational, it will be capable of connecting any two points on the globe through its satellite platform, 100 points of presence and Optus’s terrestrial fibre networks.

“Satellite technology will always have an important role to play in delivering communications to a country the size and breadth of Australia,” said Paul Sheridan, vice president of Optus Satellite. “This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in and offers a new and innovative solution which will provide complementary services and enable Optus to meet growing demand for high-bandwidth-dependent applications and services throughout Australia and beyond.”

“Our aim is to work with, not compete with, the world’s leading telecommunications companies to provide a mutually beneficial integrated communications infrastructure,” said Clifford Beek, Laser Light’s president, carriers services. “We are delighted to be collaborating with Optus, Australia’s leading satellite authority. This venture is an important step forward in providing us with complementary terrestrial connectivity across the entirety of Australia.”