High-speed Internet from Outer Space
High-speed Internet access is now considered an indispensable tool for people of all ages. Technology enables users to explore and experience the world, search for knowledge they once avoided, take their business to new financial heights, and communicate with family, friends and colleagues with ease. Much of the world has managed to meet demand for the technology, but Germany has lagged behind. To make up for this shortcoming, the country is looking for stars.
Armies of satellites will soon be orbiting our planet, hopefully fully connecting the world. Could this be a solution for a country like Germany?
Germany is certainly not alone in this situation. In fact, over 3 billion people are currently living digitally disconnected lives. This movie shows why this happens and how best to deal with it.
A team of engineers monitors the signal strength of tens of millions of mobile device users. This illustrates the most connected regions and the networks responsible for them. They identified parts that lacked a strong network; in some cases, they received a stronger signal from Switzerland than from their home country. It’s not just about accessing email and online games. It may limit the user’s ability to get help in an emergency.
Hopefully OneWeb, Google/SpaceX and Blue Origin’s LEO satellites will provide a solution. The program is not without its unique challenges. Satellites must hover close to the Earth’s surface for seamless real-time connectivity, and thousands of them are needed to cover the entire globe. This raises major concerns about production, not to mention the possibility of space debris damaging satellites. Additionally, satellites must be placed in orbit and replaced every five to twenty-five years.
The filmmakers take us into the laboratory for these challenges. We watch engineers at work exploring new technologies and discussing factors such as traffic management. Meanwhile, activists are addressing the need for free internet access around the world. For them, it has become a basic human right in this interconnected world.
Director John A Cantara
