Regional Round-up Loon dispatches additional balloons to Kenya

Launched from Puerto Rico, a large fleet of Loon balloons is heading to Kenya after successful parading from Loon’s launch recently in Puerto Rico.

These balloons will join the eight balloons that are already active and part of a network integration exercise in Kenyan airspace. Upon arrival, this larger fleet of balloons will continue network integration testing with its local partner, Telkom Kenya, in preparation to begin serving users as quickly as possible. The recently launched balloons are expected to gradually begin arriving above Kenya, in the coming few weeks.

The Loon service, will seek to use its 4G/LTE Internet solution to connect unserved and under-served communities in Kenya. Initial coverage areas have already been identified, starting with Nairobi, Machakos, Nyeri, Nakuru, Kitui, Nanyuki, Narok and into Kisii.

Telkom Kenya’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mugo Kibati states: “These balloons will be used to expedite integration testing of this pioneer