About 4.4 billion people around the world don't have internet access. Syed Karim and his Chicago-based startup Outernet want to change that -- by broadcasting free web content, worldwide, using satellites and radio waves.

"We liken it to a public library in space," says Syed, 38.

Connecting to the internet via satellite is prohibitively expensive, so Outernet uses datacasting -- think radio, but with web pages. Outernet's satellites broadcast data; as they pass overhead, a $99 (£65) receiver downloads and converts the data into cached web pages, audio or video. The receiver requires no additional software and is compatible with all browser types

"It's not that different from short-wave radio," Syed says. Outernet's curated broadcasts include Wikipedia pages, ebooks and maps, along with regularly updated content such as news -- once it has been downloaded, this material can be shared locally over Wi-Fi. Users use SMS to request new content for the satellites' next pass. "We're seeing strong demand for healthcare information in remote areas and educational materials," says Syed. 

An American born to parents from Bangladesh, Karim was inspired by his father, who grew up in rural India.

"He would get one book a year. But he wanted any access to information he could find, so he built a short-wave radio," he says. Founded in 2014, with funding from the Media Development Investment Fund, Outernet has run successful trials in sub-Saharan Africa and already broadcasts 1GB daily worldwide from seven satellites. It will soon begin launching its own nanosatellites to improve coverage.

"We plan to be delivering 10GB daily everywhere in the world by the end of next year," says Syed. In January 2015, it raised $673,203 on Indiegogo to create Lantern, a compact solar-powered receiver that doesn't require a dish. 

Although Outernet may never provide true internet access, Karim believes that even simple information will be transformative for disconnected communities.