Even some of the most remote places on Earth may soon be able to stream videos and do other tasks that require high-speed internet, thanks to new technology.
British firm OneWeb recently launched 34 satellites into orbit from a spaceport in Kazakhstan, increasing its in-orbit constellation to 322 satellites. The satellites are intended to provide high-speed internet coverage in areas that are underserved by traditional methods. It’s part of a new wave of technologies that could help bridge the digital divide.
“Satellites can provide a solution for people living in remote areas where terrestrial broadband infrastructure has not been built out, providing essential connectivity for millions of people,” Mark Buell ,a vice president of the nonprofit Internet Society, told Lifewire in an email interview.
OneWeb says the recent launch is the first phase in a plan to build a constellation of 648 satellites that will deliver high-speed, low-latency global connectivity. The remote areas its satellites will cover include parts of the Arctic that don’t get high-speed internet.
A growing number of companies are sending satellites into the sky to provide internet services, including Elon Musk’s Starlink and Amazon’s Project Kuiper, as well as other players like OneWeb, Telesat, and Dish Networks.
There’s a crucial need for remote areas to get better internet service. Over the past 18 months, the COVID-19 pandemic has shown the world how important the Internet is during a crisis, Buell said.
“The Internet has become a lifeline for millions of people that have increasingly relied on it for healthcare, education, staying in touch with loved ones, and more,” Buell added. “Unfortunately, many rural and remote communities have been unable to benefit from it.”