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Microsoft seeks to bring internet to millions in Africa by satellite

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Microsoft seeks to bring internet to millions in Africa by satellite

Lol, no. Microsoft seeks to extract internet ad revenue from millions in Africa by satellite

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Microsoft should do this for the U.K too. Why? Well, currently customers can only purchase internet via virgin fibre optic cable or B.T, and other operators, still using the old copper B.T lines. There's money to be made in the U.K. Just provide a decent service.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Microsoft better be glad,they are not buying a pie in the sky Activision,they can buy a telecom network instead, nobody own the internet,you can connect to internet node for free Google Connected To The Internet Node

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Is Microsoft going to provide Satellite based Internet access for Free to 100 Million African's ?

Perhaps they'll setup Solar powered Charging points and provide free internet WiFi access around those charging stations ?

At first sight, this sounds very applaudable, though... maybe Microsoft needs to have a rethink of their plans.

Take a look at Ethiopia, which now blames Tech Companies (specifically Meta) for kicking up more trouble within its borders - with Microsoft making the internet accessible to all, then are we suddenly going to see other Countries in the region, doing the same.

Africa has a lot of Countries, and flare ups arise both internally and between them - a sort of reasonable view can be seen here:

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/safest-countries-in-the-world

Furthermore, shutting down Satellite Internet connectivity is a lot harder to do than domestic internet connectivity, this could therefore be viewed as foreign Meddling within the affaires of a Country - although not relevant to Africa - how'd you think the CCP would view Musk's Starlink being positioned overhead ? Now think about this in relation to Ethopia.

Also, does Africa really need this ? Nigerian internet scammers are quite plentiful at present, they clearly have no issues with Internet access...

Perhaps, it would be far better for Microsoft to work with Educational Institutions and provide support within those Countries willing to accept it - support such as funding for Tech learning, sponsoring more tech Teachers, and providing equipment for Tech and other Educational resources.

I suspect however, there may be another influence here - which is along the lines of what I hinted at above, and which some African Countries will clearly be thinking too... whoever controls the Internet, controls what News people are given/or have access to, and as such receive the ideological viewpoint of the provider.

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how'd you think the CCP would view Musk's Starlink being positioned overhead ?

If you learn how satellites remain in orbit you would know that there are dozens, maybe hundreds of Starlink satellites that fly over China in any given day. Satellites in low Earth orbit circumnavigate the earth every 45 minutes but their path over the Earth is different with each orbit. Starlink satellites are not in geostationary orbits. And yes the Chinese are in a tizzy over this, openly discussing shooting them down and filing complaints in the UN.

https://seekingalpha.com/article/4477208-spacex-starlink-satellites-getting-on-china-nerves

https://pocketnow.com/why-china-destroy-starlink-satellites/

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Furthermore, shutting down Satellite Internet connectivity is a lot harder to do than domestic internet connectivity, this could therefore be viewed as foreign Meddling within the affaires of a Country - although not relevant to Africa.

Yes it is. Dictators everywhere fear most their people knowing the truth about them and access to global internet will allow those living in dictatorships to learn the truth and not have to listen to the constant lies from their, cough cough, "leaders". Moreover, dictators greatly fear the ability of their people to communicate and share ideas in the open, something that Starlink or similar systems will facilitate and be hard if not impossible for dictators to jam.

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