托福阅读机经背景文化类：宽带带动非洲起飞摘要.docxVIP

智课网TOEFL备考资料 托福阅读机经背景文化类：宽带带动非洲起飞   A new satellite system was launched into orbit last week that aims to bring high-speed Internet to remote communities across the globe. Its backers say it could have a big impact in rural parts of Africa by speeding up economic and social development. Others argue the huge amounts of money, however, should be spent on more basic needs.  一颗新卫星上星期发射后进入轨道。它的目标是让高速互联网覆盖全球边远地区。这个项目的支持者表示，这可能对非洲农村产生巨大影响，加速那里的经济和社会发展。但也有人认为，这笔庞大资金似乎应用在更基本的需求方面。  Lift-off for the O3b - or Other 3 Billion - satellite system occurred last week in French Guiana. The system goes live later this year when eight satellites will enter a lower orbit to provide a faster connection.  上星期，名为“O3B”的卫星系统从法属圭亚那升空。O3B是“其余30亿”的英文缩称。这个系统今年晚些时候将正式投入使用。  Its backers include Google and the Development Bank of Southern Africa, among others.  这个项目的支持者包括“谷歌”以及“南部非洲开发银行”等。  Founder Greg Wyler said the Other 3 Billion are the people on the planet without access to fast Internet.  该项目创始人格里格·韦勒说，所谓“其余三十亿”是指全球不能宽带上网的三十亿人口。  “This will enable everybody, and it will be a cascading effect, but it enables everybody in these societies to become economically relevant to the rest of the world,” he said.  韦勒说：“扩散效用将因此产生，该项目能使这些国家所有人，每一个人，经济上同整个国际社会息息相关。”  Fast connection, pervasive coverage  The O3b satellites will provide Internet coverage anywhere within 45 degrees of latitude north and south of the equator.  O3B卫星提供的互联网服务，将能覆盖北纬45度与南纬45度之间的任何地方。  Rival Inmarsat will launch a satellite Internet system called Global Xpress later this year.  其竞争对手“国际海事卫星组织”(INMAR SAT )今年晚些时候将启动名为“全球快速”(Global Xpress)的卫星互联网系统。  Dele Meiji Fatunla, web editor for Britain’s Royal African Society, said, “In the rural areas I think it would have an impact on the way people can get information related to healthcare, information related to education.”  德里·梅杰·法图拉是英国皇家非洲学会的网络编辑。他