Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP (‘Freshfields’) has advised SES S.A. and its subsidiary, O3b Networks Limited, in connection with a procurement structure for the construction of seven super-powered medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites.

Boeing Satellite Systems has been appointed by SES S.A. and O3b Networks Limited to construct the MEO satellites as part of a newly launched “O3b mPOWER” satellite networks system. The satellites are scheduled for launch into orbit starting in 2021 and are expected to provide coverage to an area of nearly 400 million square kilometers, four-fifths of the earth’s surface. The constellation will be one of the most bandwidth-efficient systems in orbit.

This procurement deal is one of several important transactions on which Freshfields has advised SES S.A.

The Freshfields team was led by partner Brian Rance in New York, with support from partner Chris Barratt in London, senior associate En-Min Chua in New York, and associates Sanjana Nafday in New York and Tom Capon in London.