Google ‘Project Loon’ Balloon Makes Debut In Sri Lanka for Internet Tests
Information and Communication Technology Agency Chief Muhanthan Carnagey said that one of three balloons that were used in the trials entered in Sri Lanka airspace. “The first balloon entered our airspace this morning. It was launched from South America.” Canagey told AFP. “It is currently over southern Sri Lanka.” The government earlier announced that it would take a 25% stake in a joint venture with Google to make a high-speed internet service powered by helium-filled balloons. A further 10% of the joint venture would be offered to existing telephone service providers on the island. Sri Lanka is not investing any capital post in return for allotting spectrum for the project. According to Sri Lankan officials involved in the venture, once in the atmosphere, the balloons will be twice as high as commercial airliners and visible to the naked eye. The balloon will have about 180 days of lifespan and can also be recycled. Once the balloon project is up and running, service providers will improve their high speeds and existing services. According to officials, there are 3.3 million mobile Internet connections and 63,000 fixed internet subscribers among Sri Lanka’s 20 million population. Sri Lanka was the first country to launch a 4G service network two years ago. It became the first country in South Asia to launch mobile phones in 1989 and introduce a 3G network in 2004. This is all about Google’s Balloon, which will provide the Internet. This Project made its debut in Sri Lankan Air space on Monday. I liked this article; feel free to share it!
