A Chinese internet technology company has announced a plan to provide free satellite internet worldwide by 2026, joining companies like SpaceX, Facebook and Google in the mission to run a global internet service.
A Chinese internet technology firm is planning to launch a constellation of 272 satellites by 2026 with an aim to provide free WiFi service worldwide.
A Chinese internet technology firm is planning to launch a constellation of 272 satellites by 2026 with an aim to provide free WiFi service worldwide.
LinkSure Network, founded in Shanghai in 2013, markets itself as a global innovative mobile internet company specialising in free internet access, content and location-based services on its official website.
It unveiled its first satellite in the constellation plan on November 27, 2018.
The satellite, 'LinkSure-1,' will be launched from Jiuquan Satellite Launch Centre in Northwest China's Gansu province next year, and by 2020 there will be 10 satellites in space.
The constellation will have 272 satellites by 2026.
According to their company website, LinkSure already services more than 900 million users across 223 countries and regions, mainly through its application WiFi Master Key, which allows users to connect to certain Wi-Fi hotspots without the use of individual login details.
Satellite constellations - An alternative
1. People could use their mobile phones to search for internet services provided by the constellation and browse the internet, even in regions where telecom networks do not cover.
2. Wang Jingying, CEO of LinkSure Network, said the company will invest 431.4 million USD into the plan.
3. According to the data from the United Nations, by the end of 2017, there were still 3.9 billion people not connected to the internet.
4. Because of the diversity and complexity of geomorphology, some infrastructure facilities of telecom networks cannot be installed at some places, and therefore, satellite constellations might be an alternative.
5. Currently, many companies, including Google, SpaceX, OneWeb and Telesat, have already launched plans to use satellites to provide free internet access.
Other countries with their own indigenous systems
China is building the BDS (BeiDou Navigation Satellite System), stated to be a rival to the US' Global Positioning System (GPS).
Russia has GLONASS (Global Navigation Satellite System), the European Union has Galileo Positioning System, Japan has QZSS (Quasi-Zenith Satellite System).
