Google today confirmed plans to provide Internet access to underserved areas via high-flying balloons. The effort, dubbed Project Loon, got started this week with a pilot in the Canterbury area of New Zealand with 30 balloons in the air and 50 testers on the ground. Source: http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2420540,00.asp
That is un real, at first I was getting my hopes up thinking I could stop paying Verizon, But this is still very cool. now in the wildest places you can surf the web. Who would have thought?
Yes, the reach of net would be extended to many many remote areas, many many new internet users will added. G!
Owned a Wireless business from the VERY beginnings. This was an idea that was explored. There were several logistical problems. One of the biggest, aside from downing air craft, creating utter pandamonia (UFO sitings) was the damage to power lines these things cause when they go down. The time you had to spend to recycle them, (keep them aloft and resend).... I think Googles way over a decade too late on an idea that never worked, and simply was not feasible for a multitude of reasons.
One year after getting the Wi-Fi balloons in the clouds of New Zealand, Google recently flew the first ever LTE-equipped balloons in Brazil. Project Loon may seem to have come off track with Google’s recent acquisition of Skybox Imaging. With that being said, the project is still making progress in delivering broadband to remote and underserved areas of the world. Linoca Gayoso, a local school in the Campo Maior of northeast Brazil, experienced internet connectivity for the first time with Google. The remote community does not have mobile or broadband services, so locals have to rely on weak signals on tree tops and other high points. Benefits of LTE from Google The LTE addition to the Google balloons can provide many benefits, according to the internet giants. 4G LTE provides high speed mobile broadband, but Project Loon has other things in mind. Project Loon plans to use LTE to offer internet connectivity to mobile phones directly, along with greater coverage than Wi-Fi. This is just the basic purpose that Google intends to use LTE for. LTE is already being used by many carriers around the world for their networks. Leveraging on this fact, Google aims to provide seamless and instant internet connectivity to remote and rural areas of the world. Project Loon Becoming a Reality The Brazilian LTE Loon trial surfaced with Google’s partnership with local operators in Telebras and Vivo. The initial plan was to extend the 3G coverage and backhaul networks of these operators. Google is working with different operators to make Project Loon become a reality. A year ago, Google partnered with Vodafone NZ when they conducted the first Project Loon balloon launch. However, Google is aware of the fact that some countries may fear invasion with their balloons looming in the air. The Brazilian LTE Loon trial comes after the test Loon in North Nevada.
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You'd think so but apparently it happened http://www.whistleout.co.nz/MobilePhones/News/project-loon-googles-balloon-based-web-starts-with-nz I did expect an April 1st datestamp, but no - it was June last year. I wish I'd known at the time, I'd have gone along and rubbernecked.
This is actually quite intriguing. I live in such a bubble here in the U.S. that I don't even think I realize there's still places in the world that don't have Internet yet.
You'll have places in the US that don't have internet or mobile access. It's expensive to set up and if there population is low the telcos won't want to spend the dosh for a minimal return. Check out the AT&T blackspots in California: Source: http://webcoveragemap.rootmetrics.com/ In NZ we certainly have places that have poor access but they are getting fewer and farther between. I suspect what vodafone were trying to achieve by being involved in the project was to make 3G mobile access more widely available.
I think Google took a wonderful initiative to provide internet in Brazil using balloons. They are looking to deploy 300-400 balloons around the world. Wow sound good. Even if you go astray in jungle with a mobile device. Then someone will easily going to find you. Ah! I remember when a plan vanished in sea this year. There were no connectivity to the plan and that was never found. Now, a balloon can connect to air traffic for any emergency. Right they have launched Google loon project in brazil. I am not sure what effect it will bring on the environment of Earth. This balloons can fly 20 kms above the surface. It has been mentioned that it will aloft for 100 days (not sure, they are just hoping.) Who will catch them when a balloon fell on the surface. Golden eagle ? lolz Let's see. Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/google-project-loon-brings-internet-to-brazil-2014-6