Start-Up Seeks to Link 3 Billion to Net
By CHRISTOPHER RHOADS
The Wall Street Journal, September 9, 2008
By CHRISTOPHER RHOADS
The Wall Street Journal, September 9, 2008
Student: Maria Rodriguez
ABSTRACT:
O3b Networks Ltd. is an enterprise founded by the US technology entrepreneur Greg Wyler. He wants to bring high-speed Internet service to poor and remote countries. The plan is to launch as many 16 satellites, which orbit the Earth around the Equator at relatively low altitude, to provide Internet services to Africa, the Middle East and many parts of Latin America by the end of 2010.
The total cost of the project is estimated in $650 millions with an initial disbursement of $60 millions invested by a number of global enterprises like HSBC Holdings PLC, Allen & Company, Liberty Global Inc, or Google.
At this moment there are about 1.5 billion Internet users in the word. The majority of them are concentrated in the developed world. The new perspectives of telecommunication companies are focused in potential markets as Africa and the Middle East. Wyler’s idea is about to open Internet opportunities to other 3 billion people.
The idea to deliver Internet via satellite is not new. Precedent projects did not materialized because an economic barrier. They were too expensive for companies and for users. The major costs of this project to telecom companies will be to connect the entire world with under see and underground fiber links. This will suppose billions of dollars but it will be cheaper than precedent projects.
O3b Networks Ltd. will not provide Internet directly to consumers. The company will sell linkups to local Internet service suppliers that will provide the service over their own networks.
O3b Networks Ltd. is an enterprise founded by the US technology entrepreneur Greg Wyler. He wants to bring high-speed Internet service to poor and remote countries. The plan is to launch as many 16 satellites, which orbit the Earth around the Equator at relatively low altitude, to provide Internet services to Africa, the Middle East and many parts of Latin America by the end of 2010.
The total cost of the project is estimated in $650 millions with an initial disbursement of $60 millions invested by a number of global enterprises like HSBC Holdings PLC, Allen & Company, Liberty Global Inc, or Google.
At this moment there are about 1.5 billion Internet users in the word. The majority of them are concentrated in the developed world. The new perspectives of telecommunication companies are focused in potential markets as Africa and the Middle East. Wyler’s idea is about to open Internet opportunities to other 3 billion people.
The idea to deliver Internet via satellite is not new. Precedent projects did not materialized because an economic barrier. They were too expensive for companies and for users. The major costs of this project to telecom companies will be to connect the entire world with under see and underground fiber links. This will suppose billions of dollars but it will be cheaper than precedent projects.
O3b Networks Ltd. will not provide Internet directly to consumers. The company will sell linkups to local Internet service suppliers that will provide the service over their own networks.
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