Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Inmarsat Brings 3G Broadband to North America

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the still-trying-to-catch-up dept.

Jessup writes "The Earth just got one step closer to true global broadband through satellite based communications. With the launch of the Zenit-3SL rocket the Inmarsat-4 F2 satellite brings 3G high speed cell technology to North America. From the article: 'Their onboard technology is designed to allow people to set up virtual offices anywhere around the world via high-speed broadband connections and new 3G phone technology.'"

5 of 129 comments (clear)

  1. Yay! by Daedius · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Now were only 2 years behind Korea, Japan, and the rest of the 3G world!

  2. Two? by Dekortage · · Score: 5, Funny

    From the article: "It is the second in a planned two-satellite constellation."

    It only takes two items to make a constellation?? Three would be a crowd, I guess.

    --
    $nice = $webHosting + $domainNames + $sslCerts
  3. We all know the truth by AndyFewt · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Virtual offices".. yeh ok, we all know it will be used for porn, porn and more porn. 3G porn on the go!

  4. Re:Only America? by AndyFewt · · Score: 5, Informative

    Well it is most likely (The article didnt confirm this) be in a geosynchronous orbit. That means the satellite stays in a fixed position in the sky relative to the ground. The position of the satellite in space (at an altitude of 22,237 miles) is where the speed of the satellite matches the speed of Earth's rotation. It is unlikely it performs a faster orbit around the planet as then it would also provide services to the other side of the world.

  5. Compaired to GPRS by Charliems · · Score: 5, Informative


    Download Speeds
    3G: max 384kbps
    GPRS: max 48kbps

    Upload Speeds
    3G: max 64kbps
    GPRS: max 24kbps