Google has another ambitious project up its sleeve. If reports are to be believed, the internet mogul will be partnering with the government on a pilot project that aims to offer internet connectivity using a balloon network.
Under ‘Project Loon’, Google will be using big balloons that will be floating 20 kilometres above the earth’s surface in order to facilitate the transmission of internet services to remote areas. It is believed that in the first leg of this project, Google may partner with BSNL to test this technology. If this technology is successfully tested, it will have the power and potential to replace mobile towers in the future.
What Is Project Loon?
Project Loon is a network of balloons that will be floating above earth’s surface to connect people in the remote and rural areas where there is negligible internet connectivity. Solar power and wind is used to power electronic equipments inside the balloon.
In the case of a natural disaster when the internet is hit, Project Loon will help fill the coverage gaps and help out internet users to come back online.
Fascinated much?
So, here are few more things to know about Project Loon and how it will work:
1. Project Loon will use a wireless communications technology called LTE in order to provide internet connectivity to a ground area of about 80 km in diameter.
2. And for this, Google will partner with Telecommunications companies to share their cellular spectrum enabling people to connect to the balloon network directly via their phones and other LTE-enabled devices.
3. All the balloons under Project Loon will float in the stratosphere, approximately 20 km above the Earth’s surface.
4. The signals will be passed across the network and then sent back to the global internet on earth.
5. Software algorithms will be used to determine where the balloons need to travel.
6. Since there are many layers of wind in the Stratosphere, there is a variation in the speed and direction. Thus, to make sure that the balloon travels in the right or desired direction, it is ascended or descended in different layers within the stratosphere.
Looking forward to this power-packed balloon-powered internet reality!
Cover Image: Representational Image