SWANsat: An Effective Model for Bridging the Digital Divide

SWANSAT is a constellation of high powered geosynchronous orbit (GSO) telecommunications satellites licensed for global provision of two-way broadband services utilizing ten GHz of electromagnetic frequency in the W-band. Licensure includes operational authority from twelve GSO slots. The first spacecraft in the EUR€12 billion program is planned for deployment in late 2012, with follow-on launches until full deployment has occurred. The SWANSAT System is intended to be operated for LDC’s and DC’s after the pattern of the Marshall Plan for Europe. As part of development efforts regarding the SWANSAT System, SWANSAT Holdings crafted what is rapidly becoming perceived as one of the first effective economic models available to help bring inexpensive ICT and wide open access to broadband internet via satellite to developing countries (DC’s) and least developed countries (LDC’s). Called Shareware Telecommunications™, the economic model provides a practical methodology by which 2 megabit/second internet connections via satellite can be delivered to LDC’s and DC’s at a cost as low as EUR€1/month per user. SWANSAT will provide two-way broadband ICT services to residents of least developed countries (LDC’s) and developing countries (DC’s), utilizing its Shareware Telecommunications™ economic model to meet sustainable development and wide open access goals of the UN Economic and Social Council’s ECOSOC 2000 Ministerial Declaration in full consistency with many UN Millennium Development Goals. SWANSAT will accommodate two-way internet access for at least 600 million users per spacecraft with a capacity of 2 Meg/second for each user. A minimal number of non-subsidized subscriptions from residents of G7 nations will be accepted as a base for subsidizing subscriptions accepted from residents of non-G7 nations, including residents of LDC’s and DC’s and from those serving the underserved in these nations. SWANSAT will offer free educational video channels to the ministries of education and health of the world’s nations in exchange for grant of SWANSAT Landing Rights on a non-revenue basis. Access to medical information database services to remote locations of subscriber nations on a non-revenue (i.e., “free”) basis will also be included in day-to-day mission priorities of SWANSAT The Shareware Telecommunications economic model provides the infrastructure necessary for bringing ICT connectivity to the most remote areas of the earth, for lowering connectivity costs to make ICT affordable within developing countries, and for promoting direct connectivity among LDC’s and DC’s. Because the model is an effective way to ensure sustainable results and harmonious development of a global network society, we were invited to address the United Nations’ Global Alliance for ICT and Development (GAID) on 1 June 2007, at which time we proposed Shareware Telecommunications and the SWANSAT system for facilitation as a means for delivery of low-cost ICT broadband via geosynchronous satellite in the W-band to LDC’s and DC’s. SWANSAT will offer services on a shareware basis to those who cannot afford to pay the costs of a basic SWANSAT subscription, which will include VoIP telephony, email, and text messaging delivered through a battery operated or fuel cell powered handset. SWANSAT is already operating within the context of a non-profit structure. Its sponsoring company is privately held by charitable trusts whose primary beneficiaries are a consortium of non-profit organizations that will be tasked to sponsor support of charitable projects on an international basis. Prices and fees will be structured according to local economics, in some cases as low as EUR€1 per month for a 2 Meg/second high speed broadband internet connection to users in LDC’s and DC’s.

http://docs.swansatfoundation.com

International implementation

Ongoing from 2007 to 2012

NEPAD Council has endorsed SWANsat as an effective means to bridge the digital divide

* Information and communication infrastructure
* Access to information and knowledge

• Programme