London to send a satellite to space for mobile communications

London and Inmarsat to send a satellite to space for mobile communications

The city of London has said that they are now planning to send a satellite into space to cut out the need for mobile phone masts in collaboration with Inmarsat which already has several satellites in orbit.

The city officials also plan to use this satellite to monitor motorists from space. They are planning to spend 12 million pounds on this project and it has already received permissions from the London Development Agency (LDA).

A spokesman from the LDA said in a statement: “We are keen to get involved in this from the beginning. It is important to stay at the forefront of new technology.”

Bob Blackman, economic development spokesman for the Conservatives on the London Assembly however is against this plan. He said: “This is an utter waste of taxpayers’ money. The satellite, due to be launched in 2011, would have the capacity to handle mobile and Internet communications — but worryingly for motorists around the country, could be used to monitor drivers from space.”

The launch is expected to be made through a European Space Agency rocket.