There is a new project from a Big Tech company that aims to tap into satellite internet, and it is with the recent partnership of Microsoft and Viasat to bring the Airband project to focus on connectivity and access. However, it would be different from their initial approach to satellite internet, as it would focus on providing connections to underserved areas including countries in Africa and Latin America.
After its initial launch in the areas, the companies would then turn their attention to expanding their services worldwide, centering on an accessible internet for all.
Microsoft, Viasat to Deliver Satellite Internet for the Underserved
The software company, Microsoft, and communications company, Viasat have announced their latest venture to date, and this is its partnership to deliver satellite internet that will serve remote areas and the underprivileged.
Microsoft announced their partnership earlier today, and the initial goal is to provide 10 million users access to a fast and reliable internet service for underserved communities worldwide.
For starters, the company aims to connect 5 million people in Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Nigeria, and Senegal in the African continent. This would go alongside its plans for a 5 million user allocation for Latin American countries Guatemala and Mexico, and lastly, the United States.
Airband Project Plans to Bring 250M Users Access
This satellite internet venture will fall under Microsoft's existing "Airband" project which centers on internet access for different regions in Africa. Currently, the software company has active projects in DR Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, and South Africa.
The company's end goal is to provide 250 million users access to its satellite internet by 2025.
Satellite Internet for the World
There were massive moves toward establishing accessible internet for all, and it is through beaming down the connection from the low-Earth orbit using satellites to provide the service. One of the most notable names in the industry now is SpaceX's Starlink, a company that is solely dedicated to providing unparalleled speeds and connections at any time and place.
The only problem with Starlink now is its recent data cap for users who goes beyond using one terabyte of data in their usage, to ease the rising number of users and slow services.
Other companies are also intent on filling the low-Earth orbit with their internet satellites, and one of them is the recently launched OneWeb from the United Kingdom.
Amazon also has the Kuiper satellites to deliver internet access, with the company reinforcing it with its previous acquisition of Facebook's satellite team.
While Google already ceased in the competition, and Viasat initially faced issues with its services, companies with massive plans for providing connectivity to areas that need it still have the luxury of doing so. Microsoft and Viasat's recent partnership will tackle important issues for underserved areas, now with the goal to establish it in the coming years.
