A reminder that broadband-from-space isn't about bridging the global digital divide or serving poor people. It's just another for-profit enterprise that seeks to exploit a public commons for private gain.
"#Starlink has refused to comply with the country’s BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) – 30 per cent ownership to local historically disadvantaged people."
https://technext24.com/2025/01/28/starlink-south-africa-waive-bee-policy/
[#]Space #SouthAfrica
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@JohnBarentine Broadband from space can be about bridging the digital divide. See services like "Sky Muster" run as part of Australia's National Broadband Network. https://www.nbnco.com.au/learn/network-technology/sky-muster-explained
However, with country-specific solutions, it typically involves satellites at geostationary orbits (0.25 light seconds away).
[#]space
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@portablejim "Can be" — absolutely. And I want to be clear that I am in no way opposed to the world gaining access to the Internet this way.
But is it "likely to be"? I doubt it. At least not as long as there is profit motive behind it.
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