A new partnership announced between goTenna and Blockstream Satellite is reportedly set to make sending bitcoin transactions without an internet connection a little simpler, making it easier for users throughout the world to use BTC.
According to CoinDesk, the move was announced at the Magical Crypto Conference in New York, and will see Blockstream Satellite and goTenna integrate their technologies to help onboard those without direct internet connections.
Using Blockstream Satellite’s network of satellites deployed so users throughout the world can download a full bitcoin node ad goTenna’s technology to let users connect to others without internet, a “mesh network” has been formed, to allow two users to exchange data when they’re close-by, within a mile of each other.
This means one can transact BTC without a direct internet connection, as the goTenna device connects to a bitcoin wallet on an Android phone, that can be used to transact without internet. The catch, is that they’ll have to connect to another goTenna user that does have an internet connection.
Through a statement, the company noted:
What this means for users is that they will be able to receive blockchain data via a satellite and send signed bitcoin transactions out via the goTenna Mesh network without a direct internet connection
The move is part of a larger effort to make it easier for users to send offline transactions when needed. Blockstream Satellite is said to already let users transact using technologies like high-frequency radio, although “more specialized knowledge” is needed.
Notably, other cryptocurrencies also have options to transact without an internet connection. Dash Text and CoinText, for example, let users send and receive cryptocurrency through SMS messages.
