Why the Internet?

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO BUY THIS SATELLITE?

WHO CAN THIS SATELLITE HELP?

IS MOVING A SATELLITE EVEN TECHNICALLY POSSIBLE?

OK, IT ALL SEEMS SIMPLE ENOUGH. HOW MUCH?

HOW WILL YOU PAY THE BILLS?

AREN'T COMPUTERS EXPENSIVE?

YOU MENTIONED T-SHIRTS RIGHT?

We believe that Internet access is a tool that allows people to help themselves - a tool so vital that it should be considered a universal human right. Imagine your digital life disconnected. Without access to the 100 million man-hours that have been put into Wikipedia, how much do you actually know? Without your contacts online social networks how much can you accomplish? Without access to the news, weather, your bank account-- how in charge of your life are you?The Internet has transformed what it means to be human - we are now more connected to one another than ever before. Yet, over 5 billion people do not have access to this incredible invention, do not have a voice in the global dialog, or the opportunity to share ideas and learn from the Internet's ever-expanding knowledge pool.We believe that access to information and the Internet is a necessity for every global citizen and We plan to address the information inequality by making internet access so ubiquitous you can take it for granted: Free, global, seamless connectivity.The Terrestar-1 satellite, launched in 2009, is as big as a school bus, connects to a tiny handset called the Genus, and proves that communication satellites can provide data services effectively. The company that owns that satellite filed for chapter-11 bankruptcy protection on October 19th 2010.Our goal is to raise $150,000 USD to do the following:1. Finalize a business plan for large scale funders.2. Process the legal and business aspects of submitting a bid for the satellite.3. Hire several full-time engineers to make our calculations and planning into a concrete reality.While this work is in process we will meet with investors, businesses, governments, and foundations who are interested in funding the purchase of Terrestar-1. Partnerships will be created with the country or countries over which the satellite will be positioned.When our plan is funded we will:1. Make an official bid for the Terrestar-1 satellite.2. Begin development of an open source low cost modem.3. Acquire an orbital slot (satellite parking spot) and spectrum (radio wave allocation).4. Finalize plans with partner governments.5. Continue all of the technical work required to reposition a satellite.When all of these details are finalized we will continue:1. Move the satellite to a new orbit over our partner country/countries.2. Distribute low cost modems.3. Roll out service.Totally simple right!? We're excited, and we invite you to join us in every step of this journey.Easy - anyone without Internet access!Papua New Guinea (PNG) would be an excellent candidate. They have an orbital slot (a parking spot in space for a satellite), a terrible Internet penetration rate of 2.1%, and their prime minister has been trying to build a satellite to connect their people for a while."We need to get information to them [the citizens] so they can think for themselves, better their own lives, and not rely on other people's dole."In Papua New Guinea six million people could be directly impacted. If we include Indonesia (Internet penetration rate: 12.3%) we could include another 243 million people.Then there's Africa. An entire continent of people who could find a voice. Let us know what YOU think.Our engineers say yes, and we chatted with Terrestar a few months ago."Is it possible to move your satellite into a new orbit and provide services to a different country?""Without revealing too much, yes we could. But I can't give you details."So simply put, yes.Our first phase requires $150,000- that is our fundraising goal. If we can raise more, we will be thrilled. At this time there is no specific price tag on this treasure.But consider the Iridium satellite constellation: it cost 5 billion dollars to build, and was sold for 23 million dollars after it went bankrupt in 2000. When opportunity knocks, answer the door.Although we believe in free Internet for the planet, there are some realities to face: like paying the rent.We will offer a diminished service for free to everyone, while allowing telecommunications companies to purchase and re-sell high speed bandwidth. Our goal is to not only get everyone online, but also facilitate the growth of an industry.As the CTO of Deutsche Telekom Thomas Curran advised us: "You're evangelizing for access, expanding it. That can only help the industry." And helping industry helps developing countries grow.We're building our own open-source low cost modem that will make getting online easy. Devices to get online are cheaper than ever-- India is building a 12 USD laptop.Cool loot is part of the deal!This Adorable Pin (US Only*)This Awesome T-Shirt (US Only*)Invite to the Global Summit on CommunicationWe're hosting a global summit on telecommunications, donate and you can join us.VIP Ticket to the Global Summit on CommunicationsJoin us in private brainstorming sessions with thought leaders and get all the VIP perks.*Why US Only? Unfortunately most of your donation would go towards shipping if we sent items out of the country. When is someone going to invent a teleporter?