Google plans to connect Africa to the Internet

Google announced today that they will be sending 16 low-earth orbit satellites into the sky to help give Internet access to 3 billion people and emerging markets in Africa.

The search engine has joined forces with cable television magnate John Malone and bank HSBC to set up 0B3 Networks.

Larry Alder, product manager in Google’s alternative access group, said the project could bring the cost of bandwidth in such markets down by 95 per cent. “This really fits into Google’s mission [to extend internet use] around the developing world,” he said.

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