Hasta La Gadget!

Google has been throwing a lot of effort and money into its Google Fiber gigabit Internet plans, having announced several cities in the past couple months that are slated to get the service. That won’t be the extent of its dabbling in the territory of Internet provider services, however, if sources who spoke to the Wall Street Journal are correct. Reportedly, Google plans to bring wireless Internet to a billion or so new users in emerging markets.

The sources are said to be individuals familiar with the matter, with the unnamed people saying that Google will both fund and partially run wireless Internet networks in emerging markets. Some of the places specified include locations in Southeast Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, giving connectivity to individuals who can’t access the Internet primarily only available in the large cities.

The plans reportedly also extend beyond that, with larger cities that already have Internet service potentially getting a Google-funded speed boost, although that was specified in such a way that it seems more of a possibility rather than a certainty. Although Google declined commenting on the matter, the sources say the company is “deep” in the program already.

The networks will be a multi-source effort, with word having it that Google’s mission involves partnerships with local telecom companies and providers in the markets for network development. The Internet giant will also develop and provide business models for each network it puts in place, helping ensure they remain viable and run smoothly. According to the WSJ, it is not known whether any partnerships or deals have already been formed.

The information didn’t stop there, however. It is also said Google is now in talks with regulators in South Africa and other locations, seeking to have current regulations altered to facilitate the construct of these networks. One such change being sought is permission to use TV broadcast airwaves in some of the planned locations for the network.

The Internet giant has toyed with the idea of helping develop satellite Internet networks, but such is only a notion at the moment. As part of the network efforts, Google has reportedly been developing cheap, low-energy smartphones running Android for the WiFi networks. In addition, blimps or similar balloon-like structures called high-altitude platforms are in development, and will be used for signal transmission over long distances in remote areas.

SOURCE: Wall Street Journal

Google plan to launch WiFi networks in emerging markets will connect millions is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Reports have been surfacing for awhile now regarding hunger strikes at Guantanamo Bay by prisoners over indefinite imprisonment – without trial – which has resulted in force feeding. To show their support for the cause behind the hunger strikes, hacking collective Anonymous threatened to take Guantanamo down, prompting a shutdown of its wireless Internet network.

According to the Associated Press, the military issued a shutdown of the wireless network at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, also blocking access to social media websites, including Twitter and Facebook, via the base’s computers. No cyberattacks have happened thus far; the shutdown was initiated merely as a precaution due to the posted threats.

The threats were made on May 6 via Anon Insiders, where Anonymous published a press release regarding “Operation Guantanamo.” According to the statement, May 18 represented the 100th day the prisoners had been on the hunger strike, the same time the hackers’ 3-day operation would take place. The public was called to initiate “twitterstorms, email bombs, and fax bombs” nonstop to show their support.

The press release also included numbers to the White House, U.S. Southern Command, and Department of Defense, urging the public to call the numbers and demand a change in conditions and eradication of the force-feedings, as well as demands that the Obama Administration close Guantanamo, as was the original plan. People were also asked to call their representatives and senators to petition for its closure.

It is worth noting the press release doesn’t say anything about hacking or cyberattacking the network, instead urging the public to bombard the powers that be with denouncements of the prison’s conditions, actions, and continued existence. As such, it has been pointed out on the Operation Guantanamo’s Twitter account that the base has taken itself offline, with the hacking collective not having to do anything, seemingly fulfilling the purpose it was assumed Anonymous sought to achieve.

There’s no word on when the network will be available again.

SOURCE: Associated Press

Anonymous operation sends Guantanamo’s wifi into shutdown is written by Brittany Hillen & originally posted on SlashGear.
© 2005 – 2012, SlashGear. All right reserved.

Amtrak has announced that it is upgrading its free Wi-Fi internet service on selected trains.

Like It , +1 , Tweet It , Pin It Original content from Ubergizmo.

ViaSat-1 recently earned a Guinness World Record as the highest-capacity satellite in (or out of) the world, but it may need to hand off that title come 2016. ViaSat-2, the company’s next-gen bird, will double the capacity of its predecessor while also extending coverage to a larger portion of North America, Central America and the Caribbean, along with the aviation and shipping routes between the East Coast and Europe. Boeing will manufacture the new equipment, which will be based on the 702HP satellite platform. Once in orbit, ViaSat-2 will serve residential customers, air travelers and government agencies alike, with a massive seven-fold increase in coverage. There aren’t many details beyond that, but you’re welcome to dig through the press release, posted right after the break.

Filed under: Wireless, Science, Internet

Comments

Wireless use along the US-Canada border can be problematic: when there isn’t direct interference, there’s sometimes a fight over which devices get dibs on given frequencies. Don’t worry that the countries will rekindle their old disputes, though — instead, they’ve just struck interim deals to share more of their spectrum. Along with harmonizing 700MHz public safety networks, the pacts address AWS (1,700MHz and 2,100MHz), PCS (1,900MHz), 3.7GHz wireless broadband, mesh networks and even WiFi hotspots. When possible, both sides will use contention protocols to automatically resolve any conflicts. While the deals aren’t yet final, they should be strong enough to maintain some semblance of peace on the northern airwaves.

[Image credit: National Film Board of Canada. Photothèque / Library and Archives Canada]

Filed under: Cellphones, Wireless, Networking

Comments

Source: FCC