Google announced this week that it plans to bring high speed internet access to Africa, parts of Asia, Latin America, Australia and the Middle East.

Apparently Google has signed up with Liberty Global and HSBC to launch 16 satellites, which will be used to bring high-speed internet access to the majority of the developing world.

“The project aims to use low earth orbit satellites instead of fibre cables for the core network, which will link to cellphone towers throughout the developing countries.

This is great news for telecoms and broadband industry in South Africa, where new players are looking to get into the market to provide some much-needed competition.

The project, which has been dubbed the O3b Network, named after the ‘other three billion’ people for whom fast fibre internet access networks are not commercially viable, is set to come online by the end of 2010.

The 16 satellites will be able to cover all points between 45 degrees north of the equator and 45 degrees south of the equator.” This according to mybroadband.co.za

As the saying goes: “The proof of the pudding is in the tasting” and I can’t wait to get to taste some of this high speed internet access. 2010 sure looks like the year when all things internet will change for the good.

Tags: africa, asia, fibre optic, fring, Google, high speed internet, HSBC, Liberty Global, South Africa