breaking news

O3b Networks opens Operational Headquarters in The Hague

The Hague, 13 September 2011 - On Monday, September 12th, the official opening of the Operational Headquarters of O3b Networks took place in The Hague. O3b Networks is a developer of a new satellite-based network, which will allow fast internet access in parts of the world where internet connectivity has either been limited thus far or not available at all. From the location in The Hague, the company‘s worldwide activities will be coordinated. They are starting with 20 employees and expect to double the number in the coming year.

O3b - the ‘Other 3 billion‘ - focuses on the development of a satellite network that will provide access to broadband internet for all regions across the globe 45° south and 45° north of the equator. The network will cover nearly all developing countries, with a total population number of some 3 billion people.

All O3b‘s worldwide activities which include product development, finance and marketing will be managed from their Operational Headquarters in The Hague. They expect to grow quickly. O3b has already started recruitment efforts for new employees in a variety of functions.

"I am delighted to be celebrating the opening of our operational headquarters here in The Hague. I have lived in The Hague for more than ten years and from experience I know it is a great international base from which to work. It also has a very high number of professionals and as we are recruiting locally as well, that is attractive to us", according to Steve Collar, CEO at O3b Networks.

Henk Kool, Alderman for Economic Affairs at the City of The Hague and Chairman of the Board of Participants at the WestHolland Foreign Investment Agency (WFIA): "The City of The Hague is very pleased with O3b‘s choice. We are convinced the employees of O3b will truly enjoy living and working in our international city. We are confident that O3b will be able to connect people all over the world from The Hague.”

WFIA and NFIA
Besides The Hague, O3b also considered various other locations for the establishment of its Operational HQ, including London, Luxembourg, Denver, Dubai and Jersey. In particular, The Hague‘s international character, the excellent connections to nearly all parts of the world from Schiphol Airport, the strong ICT and telecom infrastructure attracted O3b to The Hague.  Additionally, the highly educated labor force in the Netherlands and the proximity of partners and suppliers were included in the decision making process as well.

In the decision making process, active roles were played by the Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA), its regional partner WFIA and the City of The Hague. Based on a thorough location bid book and introductions to the tax authorities and services providers for housing and recruitment, the company eventually decided on The Hague. During the follow-up process, the NFIA provided support for knowledge migrant applications and the immigration of O3b employees.

About O3b Networks
O3b Networks is building a new fiber‐quality, satellite‐based, global Internet backbone for telecommunications operators (telcos) and Internet service providers (ISPs) in emerging markets.  The O3b Networks system will combine global reach and the speed of a fiber‐optic network.  With investments and operational support from SES, Google, Liberty Global, HSBC Principal Investments, Northbridge Venture Partners, Allen & Company, Development Bank of Southern Africa, Sofina and Satya Capital, the O3b system will provide telcos and ISPs with a low‐cost, high‐speed alternative to connect their 3G, WiMAX and fixed‐line networks to the rest of the world.  This will allow billions of consumers and businesses in more than 150 countries to benefit from high‐speed Internet connectivity for educational, medical and commercial applications. O3b Networks’ headquarters is in St. John, Jersey, Channel Islands. 

More information: http://www.o3bnetworks.com/media-centre/media-pack