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.”

Buzz It

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.

See more articles by Barry Schwartz >

Share, Bookmark & Discuss This Article
More:

Keep Updated: News Via Email | News Via RSS Feed | News Via Twitter

See more stories like this in the Members Library! Check out the Google: Internet Access sections of the Members Library where this story is filed. Members also get access to exclusive video content, a members-only weekly & monthly newsletter, plus more. Check out all the benefits!

Comments are closed.

TOP STORIES

See All »

SEARCH NEWS BRIEFS

See All »

FEATURES & ANALYSIS

See All »

RECENT COMMENTS

davebarnes said " Or you can use AdBlock Plus with this filter: *google-analytics.com*"
andreaBG said " I came here via Matt Cutts, Twitter.com, after navigating to Twitter from a tab that was open to FB,"
nexcerpt said " Oh, the ~irony~ of reading this article at this moment! I had just arrived from this clickable image"

See All »

See How To Articles And More In Our Members Library »

FREE DAILY SEARCH NEWS RECAP!

SearchCap is a once-per-day newsletter update:

STAY CURRENT THROUGHOUT THE DAY

Our feed & social options update you as news happens.

SEARCH ENGINE LAND SPONSORS

Advertise With Us »

UPCOMING SEARCH ENGINE LAND CONFERENCES

Search Engine Land produces SMX, the Search Marketing Expo conference series. SMX events deliver the most comprehensive educational and networking experiences - whether you're just starting in search marketing or you're a seasoned expert.

SMX Web Site » | SMX Difference » | SMX News »

Join us at an upcoming SMX event:

UPCOMING SEARCH ENGINE LAND WEBCASTS

Learn more about search marketing with our free online webcasts and webinars from our sister site, Search Marketing Now. Upcoming online events include: