- Lack of broadband connectivity is a global issue and there are startups tackling it
- We found five startups that are up to some pretty cool things
- Startups are using blockchain, lasers, satellites and more to deliver broadband around the globe
The digital divide is a global problem. NCTA – the Internet & Television Association released last week a documentary called “Every Last Mile,” which aims to illustrate the challenges ISPs face in building broadband in rural America, but we went a step further. We looked at which broadband and telecommunications startups are tackling connectivity on a global scale.
Here’s a snapshot of some of the companies on our radar.
Althea
Did you know blockchain technology is being used to revamp how consumers pay for their internet? Althea, launched in 2017, is a decentralized internet service that essentially lets consumers customize the network’s speed and how much they want to pay. It’s also a machine-to-machine payment system: transactions are automated through digital wallets without the need for human interference. The Althea platform is being used across 13 U.S. states and four countries, including Ghana. Althea Founder Deborah Simpier described it to Fierce as “the Linux of the internet,” because the traditional internet model doesn’t work for everybody.
Astranis
SpaceX’s Starlink and Iridium aren’t the only global satellite broadband names. Astranis, founded in 2015, operates geostationary (GEO) communications satellites, and it’s working with ISPs across the globe to connect remote locations. Unlike low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites (used by Starlink and Iridium), GEO satellites operate at a higher altitude and fly at a slower pace.
Astranis recently announced partnerships with Apco Networks in Mexico, Orbits Corp. in the Philippines, Thailand-based Thaicom and Argentina’s Orbith. The company’s long-term goal is to launch 100 satellites by 2030. According to Tracxn, Astranis has raised a total of over $500 million in funding from a number of private equity investors, including BlackRock (who’s AT&T’s PE partner in the Gigapower fiber joint venture).
CSquared
Africa’s broadband infrastructure scene is growing thanks to CSquared Group, which first launched as a project within Google back in 2011. Its mission? To build open access fiber networks across the continent.
In 2017, CSquared brought in additional investors to ramp up its business, including the Convergence Partners Digital Infrastructure Fund. Last November, Convergence Partners contributed to $25 million in new funding – and also acquired Google’s CSquared stake.
Indeed, affordable internet is lacking in Africa. According to the Alliance for Affordable Internet, African residents pay on average 8.8% of their monthly income to purchase 1 GB of data, higher than what consumers in Asia and Latin America have to pay. CSquared currently has a presence in six African countries: Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Liberia, Togo and Democratic Republic of Congo.
Transcelestial
Singapore-based Transcelestial has a futuristic-sounding approach to broadband. It’s created a device called CENTAURI that delivers high-speed internet via laser beam – foregoing the need to install fiber cables or license spectrum. Transcelestial last year scored $10 million in VC funding to deploy its “lasercomms” across five Asia markets; Indonesia, India, the Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore.
The company said it will also use the funds to “explore collaborations” with government, enterprise and telecom leaders in the U.S. in response to the BEAD program.
Interestingly, Singapore is leading the pack in global fixed broadband download speeds. So, we’re definitely keeping an eye out on broadband activity there.
QTI
Quantum technology is a growing area of interest to telcos that want to make their networks more secure. So, we’re spotlighting Italian startup QTI. Founded in 2020, QTI’s core product is Quell-X, which is a QKD system that generates quantum-secured keys. This allows the network operator to identify any unwanted eavesdroppers on the communications link.
QTI says its quantum tech has applications in areas such as national and cross-border telecom backbones, infrastructure security for airports and power grids, defense telecommunications infrastructure and more. The company is involved in the QPIC 1550 project, an initiative to create a universal Quantum Photonic Integrated Circuit (QPIC) platform.
In short, QPICS are advanced circuits that integrate quantum technology with photonics on a single chip. One of the project’s goals is to make this platform compatible with existing fiber optic networks, so that they can implement quantum applications in a cost-effective way. While quantum is still in its infancy and practical applications are few and far between, tech company Qubitekk partnered with EPB to launch the first commercially available quantum network in the U.S.
Entries are now open for our Broadband Nation Awards. If you want to honor a company for an outstanding achievement in broadband, be sure to register by the deadline of July 18.