Chinese firm to provide free wi-fi worldwide

The plan: a system of satellites that will provide free internet access
Set to be launched by 2026

Many places around the world, particularly rural areas, don’t have access to the web. China has seen a gap in the market for free and reliable internet access. LinkSure Network, founded in Shanghai in 2013, is heading up this innovative project.

The “LinkSure Swarm Constellation System” and the pilot satellite, LinkSure-1, will launch this year. By the end of 2020, the number of satellites will have increased to 11 and the long-term goal is to have 272 satellites in orbit by the end of 2026.

The satellites work by bouncing connectivity from one satellite to another. This will aid in reaching remote areas that do not have the infrastructure on the ground to allow them internet access. This connectivity will help to advance developing countries without internet access due to a lack of infrastructure.

The project is expected to cost an estimated $432 million, which will be largely funded by advertising through applications. Users will have to first go through a LinkSure application to get connected and bear with advertising.

LinkSure is not the only company to have seen the gap in the market. Google, SpaceX and Facebook are working on a similar concept. Although these are significant competitors, the threat to LinkSure is minimal as the demand for connectivity is so high. Chief scientist of the project, An Yang, says there is a huge demand for communication and therefore the future of the sector needs to be a combination of space and ground to meet that demand.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/world/china-watch/technology/free-internet-access/

https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/free-wifi-worldwide-chinese-firm-1399616-2018-11-30