The future is now! A recent test by Faith Comes By Hearing (FCBH) shows that they were able to send a Bible app to an otherwise unconnected smartphone over shortwave radio – from a transmission site over 3,000 miles (4,800 kilometers) away.

Yesterday, we were able to transmit file casting data packets from Guam all the way to Thailand using shortwave frequencies, and we were able to do that in partnership with Trans World Radio. So it was really quite exciting! Basically what we did is created one-way internet access turning that tower into a super WiFi router. And that’s quite a story because it’s never been done! Troy Carl, Vice President of FCBH

The antenna system was supplied by Trans World Radio station KTWR in Merizo, Guam using one of their 250kW antenna systems. This system is a curtain antenna made of dipole arrays in a 4x4x1.0 pattern using a reflector screen. The receiving team in Chang Mai, Thailand used a proprietary decompiler to snatch the app from the airwaves.

A 2015 report by the United Nations’ Broadband Commission says that only 3 billion people on Earth have access to the Internet. This means that 57% – some 4.2 billion people – do not have Internet services. The technology that’s been developed here can also be applied to FM and AM stations, and cover VHF and beyond. This can open up communication to millions of people who would otherwise be unreachable via standard means. At this time it is only one-way capable and uses proprietary technology, but hopefully there will be more to come!

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