Outernet is a global communication network company. It pursues the transformation of broadcasting practices by offering a low-rate, mass-production services that are a substitute to old infrastructure. It received its first asset from the Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF). MDIF is an American grounded investment endowment and non-return institute. The Outernet aims at providing communications to remote regions where the internet is not accessible. Furthermore, it purports to deliver unrestricted access to data from the web via geostationary and low Earth orbit cables. The satellites have been made efficiently accessible internationally (Niemeyer 127-133). The venture presently applies data casting conservative geostationary communication cables in a satellite constellation system. Wi-Fi supported devices link with the satellite hotspots, which obtain information transmissions from the cables. Outernet started operating in 2014 (Sanyal 49-61). Currently, Outernet conveys 20 MB data in one day. It offers commands to operators to form their personal receivers and encourages individuals to do so, and then to share their outcomes with Outernet. It provides information globally via Immarsat’s I4 constellation. The system is mainly installed on a one-system information service, with a two-way traffic being the lasting objective of the corporation (Niemeyer 127-133). Outernet is undergoing various advancements intended to achieve its objectives. In the areas where it has reached, it has been abundantly productive. Through the application of some of its products, for example, Lighthouse, receiver kit, and a tuner for Raspberry Pi, the Outernet has been able to achieve few of its goals. An overview of the Outernet hereinunder highlights its significance alongside giving an insight into its operations, products, objectives, and future advancements.
Operation
A device termed as Lantern, which receives information and acts as a media storage structure, has been established by the Outernet. It is a self-confined, high-rapidity receiver, and is solar-powered. It is weather resistant and generates a wireless hotspot to enable Wi-Fi-supported devices to obtain data (Niemeyer 127-133). The aim of the Lantern as described by the Outernet is to offer free access to the media library; this could be achieved in high traffic local sites, for example, the schools. Another method to access the broadcasts from the Outernet is to construct a receiver, which necessitates particular components such as an L-band feeler and a low-noise loudspeaker. The information acquired is kept on some figuring device, which then may be retrieved when a Wi-Fi dongle is linked to the hotspot. In contemporary times, this technique only operates with distinct mechanisms when handling the USB Wi-Fi dongles and the USB cable tuner.
Availability and Purpose
The Outernet as a venture is raising resources to develop internationally and reach the third world countries where people are deprived of rudimentary access to the Internet. The total funds essential to start the project is $628,305. Nevertheless, public contribution is heartening as the maximum donation recorded is about $1000, 000,000 (Gey and Klug 559-565). Outernet aims at offering information with no restrictions for educational and emergency purposes. The corporation has indicated that they strategize to deliver data regarding the news, the public, product costs, climate, and construction. Outernet is looking forward to offering access to courseware, which comprises software, textbooks, and videos. Outernet endeavors to be handy when the availability of common Internet link is down for any reason.
Benefits
Outernet is working to ensure that internet access is available in all regions. It is seeking to find an inventive, lasting and multi-sectorial way out to link the poor parts of the world to the Internet. As per the corporation’s Chief Executive Officer, Syed Karim, Outernet is a global information structure accessible to all people. Outernet offers an ICT solution that delivers information services through the satellites to every part of the world (Sanyal 49-61). These services are accessible in regions that do not have telecommunication set-up. Instead of offering a two-way Internet link, Outernet provides a one-way resolve whereby the clients could receive data from the satellites; for instance, customers are able to browse websites, but cannot publish on them or take part in social media conversations like Chirp. This advanced solution operates in a similar fashion the way radio services function; everybody with a receiver can obtain the data.
With the world’s constant advancements concerning globalization, health and safety matters, it has increasingly become significant than ever before for people to obtain the required data. For instance, in countries where the authorities have prohibited the public from exercising their right to information, Outernet may deliver a library-like service as no other source provides (Sanyal 49-61). Outernet is a service that fills a wide void in the market on related aspects with potential to transform the means through which the Internet is accessed. Hypothetically, it is in now possible to browse sites even from such remote places as the center of a desert. Presently, the future development of Outernet’s facilities is dependent on the level of subsidy it acquires and whether it can take off on an international scale or not. Fresh techniques for accessing the Internet and provision of information services to the rest of the world are a bare necessity towards attaining consistent growth, which even the United Nations has lately accepted as one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Products
The use of Outernet comes with establishment of associated paraphernalia, but its primary components include satellite receiver and dish, and a processing unit. These items and many other types of related instruments that are fundamental for setting it up can be bought through its website; nonetheless, the real Outernet facility can be assembled free of cost. Currently, the products that may be obtained on the website comprise a Lighthouse, receiver kit, and a tuner for Raspberry Pi (Sanyal 49-61). All the merchandises necessitate a satellite dish, which is vended along with. The product that has led to Outernet being highly acknowledged internationally is the Lantern. Lantern, to recapitulate, is a small Wi-Fi-supported, solar-power-driven device, which operates as a tuner, stowing component, and a satellite dish. The product has been able to draw a huge broadcasting attention in the past one year, mainly via its very effective Indiegogo movement (Sanyal 49-61). The Lantern was recently vended through the Indiegogo fundraising drive, but if the merchandise turns out to be an achievement, people may anticipate realizing it for auction on Outernet’s website this year (Sanyal 49-61). The Lantern’s portability and ability to be energized by the sun has made it unique from viewpoint of providing other solutions. Its portability ensures that it does not need an exterior satellite dish. The Lantern’s capacity of getting powered by the sunlight happens to be its essential feature.
Conclusion
Outernet is essential for providing information services and so ought to be extensively developed to help people in all parts of the world. A host of services falling under different categories can be provided using it. A unique feature of Outernet is its ability to provide information services in even remotely situated areas of the world. It has kindled hope of a permanently linked international community by means of providing innovative solutions. This, in future, will enable people to retrieve data online empowering them thus to have all-time access to quality health facilities, learning methods, fiscal and administrative matters related information, among others.
Works Cited
Gey, Thomas, and Matthias Klug. “Smart Intralogistics made by STILL – Mobile Plattformen im B2B-Dialog.” Digitalisierung im Vertrieb, 1.1(2016), pp. 559-65.
Niemeyer, Jens. “How to Avoid Steering Blindly: The Case for a Robust Repository of Human Knowledge.” How Humanity Steer the Future 2.2(2016), pp. 127-33.
Sanyal, Rajarshi. “The Networkless Network.” Wireless World in 2050 and Beyond 1.2(2016), pp. 49-61.