[orenlindsey]

The best possible thing would be an open-source satellite constellation which everyone could route data through.

Though, that wouldn't happen due to the US business environment, and the government would have to run the whole thing (and they're not known for being amazing at this kind of stuff)

[EForEndeavour]

Would GPS be the obvious example to follow? The US government created, controls, and maintains it, but anyone with a GPS receiver can access it for free.