| The importance of internet access in today's | | | | these communities protect the environment that |
| world cannot be overstated yet there are many | | | | they depend on for their way of life. |
| places where a broadband connection seems | | | | Communication can also be a lifeline. In Haiti where |
| impossible. Lack of infrastructure can limit net | | | | civil conflict has eliminated cellphone and landline |
| users to slow dial-up connections, and in some | | | | telephone access, civilians throughout the country |
| places not even those connections are available. | | | | are using satellite connections to send emails and |
| Satellite internet allows people anywhere in the | | | | make telephone calls to their loved ones. In places |
| world to have high speed internet access, which | | | | where no other communication is possible, satellite |
| provides educational opportunities, opens | | | | access allows people to communicate with family |
| communication lines, and can even help people in | | | | and friends to let them know they are secure. |
| danger zones let their loved ones know they are | | | | This communication would be impossible without |
| safe. | | | | satellite internet. |
| A quick search on the web shows many ways | | | | Closer to home for many is what these |
| that a satellite connection is improving lives | | | | broadband connections are doing for people in |
| throughout the world. Schools throughout Africa in | | | | small towns throughout the United States, in |
| places like Ghana and Uganda are installing satellite | | | | places ranging from Massachusetts to New |
| dishes to allow their students access to the | | | | Mexico. There are many communities that other |
| wealth of information available online. Students can | | | | broadband providers ignore, making cable and DSL |
| do research, get health information, and | | | | access impossible. These providers have decided |
| successfully prepare themselves for the modern | | | | that not enough people live in these areas, which |
| world. | | | | makes it unprofitable to install the expensive |
| Satellite broadband internet is also making its way | | | | equipment required for cable or DSL. However, |
| onto American Indian reservations in the | | | | people in these towns can now use satellite dishes |
| Southwestern United States. Dishes and | | | | to achieve high speed internet connections. |
| computers are being distributed to community | | | | Broadband connections allow people to work from |
| centers, schools, and more. It's possible to get a | | | | home, download the latest entertainment, and to |
| certified university degree over the internet now, | | | | stay caught up with the 24 hour news cycle and |
| preparing students for jobs both within their | | | | the lighting pace of the information world. This can |
| communities and anywhere else in the world. | | | | all be done from home, wherever it might be. |
| In Brazil the government is installing satellite | | | | For some, satellite is an upgrade from an old |
| internet connections so that indigenous groups in | | | | dial-up connection. At 50 times the speed it's quite |
| and near the Amazon can have open | | | | a change, plus it doesn't occupy the phone line. |
| communication with the government. The hope is | | | | For other people in the world satellite internet is |
| that this open communication will improve relations | | | | the only way to get that incredibly valuable |
| between groups and help protect the rainforest | | | | connection to the greatest library and information |
| from logging. This open communication can help | | | | source in existence. It can even be a lifeline. |