Outernet Inc
| Outernet Inc. | |
|---|---|
| legal form | Inc. |
| founding | 1st of February 2014 |
| Seat | Chicago |
| management | Syed Karim |
| Number of employees | 5 |
| Branch | Internet, satellite radio, data services |
| Website | http://www.outernet.is/ |
The Outernet is a concept developed by the communications company of the same name, which sends freely accessible data from the Internet back to the earth's surface via geostationary satellites. This is intended to guarantee access to uncensored information for regions without an internet connection or during acute crises. The 501 (c) (3) organization Media Development Investment Fund ( MDIF ) is behind the Outernet project . The main donor is George Soros .
Until mid-December 2017 ( as of February 2018 ) three Inmarsat satellites were broadcast in the L-band . In the future, the cheaper Ku band will be used again .
history
The first public broadcasts began on August 11, 2014. Initially, the system used the Ku-band , so that existing television antennas could be used. After that, up to 20MB was sent over the L-band daily. This service was also discontinued on December 16, 2017 for cost reasons.
Downlink
Until December 2017, reception was possible with simple single-board computers and DVB-T sticks. The software also provided a WLAN hotspot , which enables the data received to be displayed via an included web server . The downlink also serves the APRS service for radio amateurs. A receiver with the product name "Lantern" has been developed by Outernet for several years without a finished product being available yet. This device is intended to be a self-sufficient, weatherproof, solar-powered satellite receiver that also provides a WiFi hotspot. This should allow access to the received media content in public places, schools, etc. So far, Outernet has also provided instructions for building a receiver yourself, as well as parts and kits. This hardware is no longer available. It will be converted to version 3.0, called Dreamcatcher. This means a radical cut in the overall concept and has alienated many supporters.
There is a forum for relevant user experiences.
Uplink
In the past, users could also send data to the service via an upload portal to a very limited extent (10 kB per file). This service has been discontinued.
After a conceptual redesign, a new downlink is to be established with the help of the interference-free Long Range Wide Area Network , which enables reception with an LNB even without a satellite dish . The associated hardware product is currently still in development.
Goal setting
Outernet has so far stated the following goals:
- Censorship-free information for education
- Transmission of information in the event of disasters and accidents.
The information should be a mix consisting of news, weather information and forecasts, building instructions for agriculture and others. In addition, open source teaching material is to be disseminated.
Web links
- outernet.is - the company's website
Individual evidence
- ↑ Hundreds of tiny satellites could soon deliver free internet worldwide . In: RT . Retrieved January 21, 2017.
- ↑ Outernet hardware . Retrieved January 21, 2017.
- ↑ rtl-sdr.com: Outernet 3.0: Implementation Details and a 71.572km LoRa World Record. February 17, 2018, accessed February 18, 2018 .
- ^ 'Outernet' Project Seeks Free Internet Access For Earth . Retrieved January 21, 2017.