Google Debuts 'O3b' Satellites for Faster Internet Access

Google Debuts 'O3b' Satellites for Faster Internet Access

Google has announced its move to finance an assemblage of 16 satellites designed to offer much faster internet speeds at lower cost.  The satellites will be orbiting close to the equator at relatively low altitudes to bring Internet connectivity to surfacing markets in, Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East.


The service is initiated by Greg Wyler of O3B Networks and backed by Liberty Global as well as HSBC which is expected to cost

about $750 million.  To date, the project has raised only $65 million. Investment banking firm Allen & Company is also aiding to bankroll the project, although at a lower level than the three chief financing entities.



O3b Networks, however, won't provide access directly to users.  Instead, O3b will sell linkups to local Internet-service suppliers, who can then distribute the service over their own networks.