Facebook, Eutelsat satellite capacity to deliver Internet to Africa

Facebook is buying its own satellite bandwidth to deliver free basic Internet services direct to Africans.

Together with satellite operator Eutelsat, Facebook will buy up the entire broadband capacity of the AMOS-6 satellite when it enters service next year, with the goal of expanding Internet access in Africa.

Through its Internet.org initiative, the social network is already helping connect millions of people in developing countries to the Internet. The recently renamed Free Basics by Facebook program makes it possible for the inhabitants of 19 countries to access free, low-bandwidth versions of 60 basic Internet services, including search and health information, from their mobile phones.

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