[wsfii-discuss] Google Broadband

[Chris Wilson]

Hi all,

According to FT and other sources, 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" in 2010.

"They will... order 16 low-earth orbit satellites... as the first stage in a 
$750m project to connect mobile masts in a swath of countries within 45 degrees 
of the equator to fast broadband networks... the project could bring the cost 
of bandwidth in such markets down by 95 per cent."

I've written a critical review on on our new (personal) blog at:
http://tinderblog.wordpress.com/2008/09/09/google-broadband/
Please feel free to read more and comment there.

Ermanno Pietrosemoli commented: "I am very much excited about the 
possibility of using this transport technology in combination with 
community wireless access (WiFi extensions or even proprietary techniques) 
to provide a complete communication solution for developing countries at 
affordable cost, bypassing traditional carriers, provided that the 
frequency availability issue can be solved."

Thanks, Chris.
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