Google To Help Bring Internet To Africa & Beyond Through New Satellites

Sep 9, 2008 at 1:07pm ET by Barry Schwartz

Google backs project to connect 3bn to net from the Financial Times reports Google will announce they’re contributing to a project to place 16 low-earth orbit satellites to provide internet access to 3 billion people in Africa and other emerging markets.

Google is working with John Malone, the cable television magnate, and HSBC to set up O3b Networks to purchase the satellites and split the $750 million bill. The deal should reduce the cost of internet by 95% in those areas.

Larry Alder, product manager in Google’s alternative access group, told the Financial Times, “this really fits into Google’s mission [to extend internet use] around the developing world.”

Barry Schwartz is Search Engine Land's News Editor and owns RustyBrick, a NY based web consulting firm. He also runs Search Engine Roundtable, a popular search blog on very advanced SEM topics. Barry's personal blog is named Cartoon Barry and he can be followed on Twitter here.

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