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Google the words “3 billion” and “Africa”

September 9th, 2008 at 2:05 pm | posted by Chris.Scott

I wanted to pass along this bit of news breaking today. The popular mega-search engine Google today announced plans to work with partners to bring internet access to 3 billion people in Africa. This ambitious plan will require launching 16 low-earth orbit satellites into space. Larry Alder of Google said the project “really fits into Google’s mission [to extend internet use] around the developing world.”

Learn more about the project here.

-Chris Scott

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 9th, 2008 at 2:05 pm and is filed under ONE, Google. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

One Response to “Google the words “3 billion” and “Africa””

  1. Debbie K Says:
    September 9th, 2008 at 9:48 pm

    Chris -

    Thanks for posting this info here in the ONE Blog and I hope that any discussion which emanates from this post will be done according to what you asked us all to do this afternoon elsewhere in the ONE Blog - to state our viewpoints rationally and without disdain for other posters.

    There is NEVER a reason why our discussions and even our disagreements need to get personal. As I have often said, we can disagree without getting disagreeable.

    For a little bit of further background info regarding this idea of Google’s, I present the link to one of the most interesting reports that I have heard in quite a while.

    Tonight, on PRI’s “The World” program, there was a report from Africa regarding some of the obstacles that Google will probably run into in its quest for internet connection for 3 billion people in Africa.

    It presents some very sobering ideas and chronicles some of the CULTURAL obstacles that Google will probably run into in achieving its goal.

    Here is the link to the report:

    Google to invest in internet start-up (4:30)

    http://www.theworld.org/?q=taxonomy_by_date/1/20080909

    For me, while this seems like a laudable idea, I wonder if this the best use of our resources for Africa.

    When millions of people in Africa do not have sufficient food, access to clean water nor adequate medical care

    when millions of children in Africa can not afford to go to school and thousands of African villages do not have electricity - is this idea like putting the cart before the horse?

    I think it is - you may disagree.

    But I think that this report from PRI bears careful listening to and consideration.

    As ONE, we must make sure that we are fully examining all the possible ramifications of an action “for Africa” before we give it our unquestioning approval.

    Take good care. Blessings always.

    ALWAYS FOREVER, ONE - debbie :)
    www.mpwn-uganda.org

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