I strongly believe that Internet-access should be consider a human right; the difference between an Internet-aided worldview and one shaped solely by geography is too drastic to ignore in this globalized era. Unfortunately, 42.4% of the world’s population remains without Internet. In “seeking to accelerate data connectivity for the many users deprived of the economic and social benefits of the Internet,” Facebook and French communications specialist Eutelsat are launching a satellite that will to beam down free Internet access to more 14 countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa.
The two companies are partnering with Israel firm Spacecom to use the “entire broadband payload” on the AMOS-6 satellite — after it launches later this year— and construct a dedicated system made up of satellite capacity, gateways, and terminals. Given the low to medium density population of the area and the high throughout satellite architecture of the AMOS-6, Satellite-driven connectivity makes the most economic sense.
The initiative represents the first tangible step in accelerating Facebook’s Internet.org movement of enabling economical broadband service in the remaining unconnected areas of the world “by addressing the physical, economic and social barriers that are keeping people from getting online.”
Once the satellite network is operational, Facebook will team-up with localized partners in Africa to deliver the access to the isolated, rural areas. Transmission is expected to begin in the latter half of 2016. Ironically, the AMOS-6 will ride aboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets, which ironically, also applied for permission with the FCC to launch its own downlink broadband satellites with free Internet access.
Source: Eutelsat
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