2016 is nearing, and so is Project Loon to Indians, just like Google had stated back in 2013. Indian government has been hard to please in the past. Now, with the government’s digital avatar on the forefront, leading tech giants are making the most of the opportunity.
Google’s network of floating balloons in the air, providing internet for all, which took us all by surprise back in 2013 is now coming to India.
An official source from the Mountain View based company told PTI, “Google approached [the] government to set up the Loon project and drone-based Internet transmission. Government has approved testing of Loon project only as of now. A committee under chairmanship of Secretary, DeitY, has been formed to work on it.”
The service has been tested in New Zealand, U.S and in Brazil. Project Loon uses big balloons floating at a height of 20 kilometers above earth surface for transmission of Internet services. Google has been using solar panel and wind to power electronic equipment in the balloon throughout the day. They would establish a network among themselves and transmit signals to the ground. This we see is one of the most innovative ways to offer Internet till date. You can get more details about Project Loon here.
In India, BSNL would probably be partnering with Project Loon and is said to be offering 2.6 GHz broadband spectrum. BSNL having government backing is the lucky first to provide this service. The project to us looks quite ambitious, however how promising we do not know yet.
The project Loon is run by Google X Labs, which is solely targeting at providing wireless Internet. That which is totally based on nature and air, is a novel concept, with great thought and mechanism put in.
This is somewhat similar to the 4G technology, also known as LTE. However, this one would need no towers as each balloon would cover about 40 Km diameter to beam 4G signals. Each balloon is made with a good capacity to float for around 6 months. Google here will be playing the role of an enabler and not the ISP.
Facebook too has plans of providing Internet through flying drones. Will these tech giants eliminate towers in near future?
Good! Google will not pollute the Internet like Facebook’s “free basics” which attempts to stop users from getting on to anything execept Facebook! Ignore Internet.org and Facebook’s cheap bribes, Google’s Project Loon is coming soon! Then the Internet will be free for all, even the poor!