Google promotes project to connect remote regions of Africa and Southeast Asia to the Internet

Currently, Google is participating in a project that aims to connect a billion or more people to the Web as new users. The most important part of this plan is the creation of a wireless network infrastructure in the Sahara region, as well as Southeast Asia. Wireless networks will work where it is impossible or very difficult to create a wired network infrastructure for connecting local residents to the Internet.

Of course, it is planned to improve the quality of connection to the Network in the cities of these regions. To achieve these goals, Google will work together with local telecommunications companies and equipment suppliers. In addition to creating the networks themselves, the company will try to create appropriate business models to support the existence and development of the project. So far it is unclear whether the relevant agreements have already been concluded, or all of this is only planned.
')
In some cases, Google plans to use the “White spaces” frequency spectrum. On this occasion, negotiations are already underway with regulators in South Africa and Kenya, about the possibility of changing some of the provisions of the law, to gain access to these frequencies.

Among other things, the corporation is working to create an ecosystem of budget smartphones and new microprocessors, which will allow future owners of devices to connect to the Web without problems. Google is developing special high-altitude platforms (based on airships / special balloons) to transmit a signal for hundreds of kilometers. It is possible that a new network of satellites will be created, especially for this project.

For the development of the project will be used as well-known technologies, and those that are currently being developed (or have already developed) by Google. So far, all the information about the project comes from "sources close to the management of the project," Google has not received official comments. However, the confirmation is also there, albeit indirect. For example, Matt Cutts' answer to the phrase of one of Twitter users.



Of course, all this is no longer just a hobby or a purely research project. Probably, with the introduction of the project, Google will be able to control a significant part of the newly created market (services, devices, network connection services, etc.).

Via wsj