global broadband, o3b

[Woody Evans]

from STAR-TIDES group (Vinay, you posted this there, I'm reposting here):

--- http://news.slashdot.org/news/08/09/10/0249214.shtml

"According to the Financial Times, Google has announced their support for a new initiative called O3B to 'bring internet access to 3bn
people in Africa and other emerging markets by launching at least 16
satellites to bring its services to the unconnected' by 2010.
Coverage is available from Yahoo and the Wall Street Journal as well.
'The $750m project to connect mobile masts in a swath of countries
within 45 degrees of the equator to fast broadband networks ... could
bring the cost of bandwidth in such markets down by 95 per cent.'
This will probably be the largest single investment in network
infrastructure for developing countries in history. Google clearly
wishes to use this project to enable broadband Internet access in
developing regions, but many other things must be in place before
that can happen, including fixed power infrastructure, PCs or OLPCs,
technical support and skills, and useful content and services for
areas with lower literacy."

-- More:

http://www.nytimes.com/idg/IDG_852573C400693880002574BF00346775.html

the o3b -- other 3 billion.

o3B Networks, official: http://www.o3bnetworks.com/

[Spencer]

Isn't this a little bit like building an interstate system for people without cars? Oh well, sometimes I'm all about jumping in head first and coming up for air when I'm able. Dangerous? Yes, but the payoffs could be huge!