Social media giant Facebook will help communities living in remote regions in Africa, in the sub-Saharan region access fast internet connectivity using an Israeli satellite.
Announcing the new development, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg said he was partnering with Eutelsat, a European satellite operator, to connect millions of people in sub-Saharan Africa with internet.
Satellite networks are well suited to economically connect people in low to medium density population areas. The AMOS-6 satellite, built by the Israel Aerospace Industries, will be ready for launch next year, according Zuckerberg.
AMOS-6 SATELLITE
“We are going to work with local partners across the regions to help communities begin accessing internet services provided through the satellite,” said Mr Zuckerberg.
Internet.org. Connectivity changes lives and communities. We’re going to keep working to connect the entire world — even if that means looking beyond our planet.”
Spacecom CEO David Pollack said, “The fact that the leading companies in their markets, Eutelsat and Facebook, chose the AMOS-6 satellite for their new strategic initiative is further proof of the high quality of production of the AMOS-6 and its adaptation for a new role is a vote of confidence in Spacecom and its satellites.
“With this, Spacecom and the AMOS satellites join the frontline of communications satellite providers which provide suitable solutions for the needs of the world’s development zones. We are very proud to be given the opportunity to collaborate in such an important initiative.”
Over the last year Facebook has been exploring ways to use aircraft and satellites to beam internet access down into communities from the sky. To connect people living in remote regions, traditional connectivity infrastructure is often difficult and inefficient, so we need to invent new technologies.