Satellite Technology Aims to Bring Broadband to Developing Countries

By the end of 2015, there were 3.5 billion Internet users worldwide, or more than 40% of the global population, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). Africa is a frontier, where only about 25% of the population was online as 2016 began, up from 16% in early 2015. Undeveloped sections of Africa and similar areas are the Internet’s frontier, where the largest growth in new users will occur over the mid-term. Google and Facebook are both hoping to capture big market share in these regions by bringing wireless Internet access to remote areas where service is unavailable.

Google began the effort in 2012 by offering users in some developing countries free access to Gmail and simple searches through partnerships with cellphone carriers. The search engine giant then launched Project Loon, www.google.com/loon/ , aimed at beaming Internet access from plastic balloons positioned 11 miles up in the sky. Google balloons are capable of acting as flying base stations that communicate directly with mobile devices on the ground. Recent tests of Loon balloons found them capable of staying airborne for up to six months.

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