New satellite system to get developing world online
Plans are afoot to build a new system of satellites that could bring the internet to people in Africa, Asia and South America online.
Satellite company O3b (Other three billion) has received $60 million in first stage funding from Google, HSBC and Liberty Global to start a network of 16 low earth orbit satellites.
The network would deliver speeds of up to 10GBps the company claims and would be picked up by 3G Cellular/WiMax towers and distributed across the continents. The system is scheduled to go live by 2010. “Access to the Internet backbone is still severely limited in emerging markets,” Greg Wyle, founder of O3b said.
