Outernet – a blessing to all from the space

If you haven’t heard about the outernet yet, it’s high time you did. Because if this is not what you call the ultimate benison, I don’t know what else could be. A New York based non-profit organization called Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF) has come up with the brilliant plan that would bless everyone on the planet. And I call this a blessing because it has no strings attached and is absolutely free. (At least, for now. With time who knows what may change!)

Now, this project is called ‘Outernet’ and it aims to give free Internet access to all. No kidding, and pinch yourself if you must. Regardless of wherever you are on the planet, you will receive free access to the Internet.

Outernet – Modern FM?!

When you were younger, you probably used to have a device to capture radio waves. Yes, AM and FM! Don’t you think Outernet is a modern version of that? In this era where mobile devices outnumbers the human population, and where devices are good for nothing unless they are connected to the Internet (at least, most of them.) Outernet is going to be ‘the thing’!

How will Outernet work?

In rural areas, people struggle to get a cable connection, also connection to mobile towers. Coming to Internet cables, they may not exist at all. Outnet will change all this. It consists of a group or a constellation of low-cost miniature satellites which will be placed in Low Earth Orbit. Each satellite receives data streams from a network of ground stations and transmits this data in a continuous loop until new content is received. In order to serve the widest possible audience, the entire constellation utilizes globally-accepted, standards-based protocols, such as DVB, Digital Radio Module and UDP-based WiFi multicasting.

How much is the Outernet project budget?

This high-profiled project aiming to build such a network surely demands a lot of expense. It is estimated to run from $100,000 to $300,000 to build and launch.