Google launches balloons to bring Internet to remote regions

Google launches balloons to bring Internet to remote regions

Google is launching Internet-beaming balloons into near space as part of an ambitious project to provide faster Internet to the world. Project Loon, which was so far kept under wraps, was announced in New Zealand last month, and 50 volunteer households have already been connected. The homes are enjoying 3G-like speeds thanks to the helium balloons that sail about 20 km above Earth. At the moment, the balloon project is still in the experimental stage, but the search giant has a lofty plan of launching thousands of them to bring the Internet to the most remote parts of the world. The technology is seen as an alternative to installing expensive fibre-optics cable in developing countries.