So you’re basically eyeing tech with more ability than I was expecting or even asking. In that case, if the technology is available for a rich media experience and getting inexpensive enough for Outernet to consider using it in their plans, of course I would want to see that.
I can’t speak for anyone else but as a purchaser of Lantern, I should tell you I would be totally happy with having Lantern for receiving data and a separate second device for transmitting even just primitive text. That would be awesome in itself. Because, in reality, you’d literally would have a second and free internet right there. People wouldn’t bother copying data from the paid Internet at that point. They would abandon it and submit their content directly to Outernet, eventually. I know I would.
And knowing this technology already exists, I’m a bit confused now when I read old articles that say it will be difficult for Outernet to pull off two-way communication.
If the Inmarsat BGAN route doesn’t pan out, at the very least, we know basic satilitte texting works and exists in a relatively inexpensive device.
Maybe I don’t have the inside perspective of the Outernet team, but I don’t see the problem. Unless of course you will have to put different Sats up there to receive the text? Obviously, that would cost plenty.