The second four satellites in the O3b medium Earth orbit (MEO) constellation, operated by O3b Networks, have been successfully launched by Arianespace from French Guiana using a Soyouz rocket.

The first four satellites have been orbiting for a year and they are offering hugely successful services - confirming the high-throughput and low latency of the O3b promise.

Positioned at an altitude of 8,063 kilometers, four times closer to the earth than geostationary satellites, these Ka-band satellites will offer high speed, low cost, low-latency Internet and telecommunications services in emerging markets.

O3b Networks will supply trunking and mobile backhaul connectivity to telecom operators and service providers at speeds comparable to those offered by fiber-optic networks.

Jean Loic Galle, CEO of Thales Alenia Space said: "Today is an important step towards further completion of the constellation with the launch of the 2nd batch that will be followed by third batch in early 2015.

"We are very proud to be part of this endeavour, with its unprecedented operational and beam flexibility, and its potential to connect billions of people who have, so far, had limited access to broadband".