Google is launching internet balloons

Google is Launching Internet Balloons

Back in November, Google announced plans to launch dozens of enormous balloons all over the United States beginning in January. An unexpected development at first glance, but certainly one with a purpose. And after going through the proper channels and licenses with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), it seems they have the go-ahead.

So why is Google launching these balloons?

The project is called Loon and it is designed as an experiment to bring Internet access to people across the world, particularly in areas that are lacking the proper hardwired infrastructure that many of us enjoy.

In order to overcome such a challenge, Google is taking to the sky. In the promotional video’s own words, “Maybe finding an answer starts with looking somewhere new, like up, and trying something different, like balloons.”

These balloons are solar-powered and designed to float at a constant altitude of around 20 km. Because they are unable to maintain a specific location, the balloons will instead follow paths on air currents predicted by their own algorithms.

Each balloon is capable of providing wireless service to an area of 80 km diameter. In the process of moving around the world, they will sync up with other balloons to optimize their combined coverage area.

In October, Google announced it had made deals with some of Indonesia’s major telecom companies to test over the vast archipelago nation. However, the tests in the U.S. are a bit more of a surprise, as their original stated goal was to bring access to remote and underdeveloped regions of the world. However, the FCC has given the green light for a two-year trial.

And only this week, stories are coming out that India might have also okayed a similar launch of the Loon balloons over Indian airspace, despite initial objections that the Loon LTE signals might interfere with established cellular networks.

The prospect of, as Business Insider quotes, “floating cell towers in the sky� is an intriguing one and something to watch as Google begins its implementation next year.

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