The internet is designed to connect people around the world. With its instantaneous speed and worldwide connectivity, interactions and acitivities can be done without leaving the premises. However, two thrids of the global population still does not have an access to the world wide web. Google wants to change all that with its balloon-powered internet project that will connect rural and remote areas to the net. The search engine giant believes that the new project is on its course to connect everyone to the internet in a global scale by next year.
Mike Cassidy, Project Loon's Vice President spoke to BBC to about their plans to launch over 300 balloons by next year to "make a continuous string around the world." Project Loon is set to ensure that there's always a balloon-powered internet covering a specific range of field. The idea is that when one should drift away, another balloon must immediately take over its place to continue the provision of internet access.
"In the early days, the balloons would last five or seven or 10 days. Now we have had balloons that have lasted as long as 187 days," Cassidy told the BBC. "We've also improved the launch process," he later added.
The team wants to deploy the first of Project Loon to cover the Southern Hemisphere. If the plan goes all well, the project will then start its first beta testing with commercial users. Google has also announced that three of Indonesia's service providers' plans to begin testing Project Loon as early as next year.
According to reports, Project Loon is set to deliver speeds similar to what 4G connectivity can offer. While the original configuration provided data speeds similar to that of 3G, the kits can now deliver about 10 megabits per second to devices connected to the project via antennae.
In similar news, Google is also developing a new project called Titan - a project that includes solar-panelled drones to deliver internet connection in different parts of the world. Facebook reportedly is also jumping in the bandwagan of drone-based internet provisions.
