Satellites could beam poorest nations out of digital desert

At the moment just 36% of the 1.25 billion people in the world’s 46 poorest countries can plug into the Internet, the International Telecommunication Union said. By comparison, more than 90% have access in the European Union. — Photo by Kojo Kwarteng on Unsplash

DOHA: Only a third of people in the world’s poorest countries can connect to the Internet, the UN telecoms agency said on March 5, but low-flying satellites could bring hope to millions, especially in remote corners of Africa.

Tech giants including Microsoft have pledged to help populations hobbled by poor Internet services to “leapfrog” into an era of online connectivity, with satellites set to play a key role as rival firms send thousands of new generation transmitters into low level orbit.