“Outernet”a project to provide free wi-fi to entire world from space

Washington:  A US company is planning to build an 'Outernet - a global network of cube satellites broadcasting Internet data to all the people on the planet - for free.

The idea is to offer free Internet access to all people, regardless of location, bypassing filtering or other means of censorship, according to the New York based non-profit organisation, Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF).

MDIF proposes that hundreds of cube satellites be built and launched to create a constellation of sorts in the sky, allowing anyone with a phone or computer to access Internet data sent to the satellites by several hundred ground stations.


The organisation claims that 40 per cent of the people in the world today are still not able to connect to the Internet - and it's not just because of restrictive governments such as North Korea - it's also due to the high cost of bringing service to remote areas, 'phys.org' reported.

An Outernet would allow people from Siberia to parts of the western US to remote islands or villages in Africa to receive the same news as those in New York or Tokyo.

The Outernet would be one-way - data would flow from feeders to the satellites which would broadcast to all below.

MDIF plans to add the ability to transmit from anywhere as well as soon as funds become available.

MDIF has acknowledged that building such a network would not be cheap. Such satellites typically run $100,000 to $300,000 to build and launch.

How Does It Works ?

Outernet consists of a constellation of hundreds of low-cost, miniature satellites in Low Earth Orbit. Each satellite receives data streams from a network of ground stations and transmits that 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 Mondiale, and UDP-based WiFi multicasting.

According to MDIF, Hundreds of cube satellites to be built and launched to create a constellation of sorts in the sky, which allow anyone to connect with the Internet through Mobile or Computer. Still today 40%  of the people in the world are there who are not able to connect to the Internet, due to several reasons includes restrictive government rules, high cost of bringing service to remote areas. An Outernet would allow people from Siberia to parts of the western US to remote islands or villages in Africa to receive the same news as those in New York or Tokyo. The Outernet would be one-way – data would flow from feeders to the satellites which would broadcast to all below. MDIF also waiting for the funds, after that it will be able to transmit from anywhere. According to MDIF, such type of networks cost $100,000 to $300,000 to build and launch, well it’s not a cheap amount. Currently the organization plans to have prototype satellites ready in June with initial deployment happening mid-2015.