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Google Broadband By Balloon (Loon) Is About To Go Global

In June of 2013 Google unveiled Google Loon, the latest in a long line of similar projects that will use balloons to deliver broadband and wireless services to under-served or emergency prone areas. Project Loon will use balloons 49 feet wide stationed 12 miles above the planet, well above the range of commercial aircraft. Ground base stations set some sixty miles apart communicate with solar-powered radio transmitters affixed to the balloons, and Google steers the balloons using wind as they ride the 40th parallel.

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In an update posted over at Youtube, Google says the company is preparing for a much larger deployment, and tackling the challenge of "moving from small scale, one-off launches and tests, to the scale and automation required to make balloon-powered Internet for all a reality."

Loon saw plenty of critics early on who claimed Google would be lucky to keep its broadband balloons aloft for more than a couple of days. Now, Google's busy keeping balloons in the air for hundreds of days over thousands of kilometers, and it's ready for the next big step.

"We're getting close to the point where can roll out thousands of balloons," Project Lead Mike Cassidy says. "In the beginning, it was all we could do to launch one balloon a day, now with our automated crane system, we can launch dozens of balloons a day, for every crane we have."

Ultimately, Google says it hopes to work with existing telcos to use Loon to help bolster existing connectivity in hard-to-reach areas, or as a supplemental offering during natural disasters or major events. The company isn't yet at the point where it can offer up details of a full commercial launch, but Google seems relatively confident that date isn't far off.

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HeadSpinning
MNSi Internet
join:2005-05-29
Windsor, ON

HeadSpinning

Member

A lot of hot air!

One has to wonder what source of fuel they're using to produce that much hot air to keep the balloons aloft for so long... maybe their PR department has found a way to capture their exhaled gasses?

tfrionli
Tom F.
join:2001-06-21
Kings Park, NY

tfrionli

Member

loon

project released 20 days too late.

battleop
join:2005-09-28
00000

battleop

Member

So how long...

How long until some 3rd world country shoots the first one down because Google is spying on them?
Jim_in_VA (banned)
join:2004-07-11
Cobbs Creek, VA

Jim_in_VA (banned)

Member

Re: So how long...

at 12 miles high, not a problem

battleop
join:2005-09-28
00000

battleop

Member

Re: So how long...

LOL Should be entertaining when the first one floats over North Korea.

norm
join:2012-10-18
Pittsburgh, PA

norm

Member

Re: So how long...

said by battleop:

LOL Should be entertaining when the first one floats over North Korea.

In latest news, Glorious DPRK accidently nukes self in response to a Google Balloon.

ggghhh
@newwavecomm.net

ggghhh to battleop

Anon

to battleop
tot yah
bcltoys
join:2008-07-21

bcltoys to Jim_in_VA

Member

to Jim_in_VA
Maybe I will finally get me some internet nothing/nobody else works in my goddamm part of Maryland Eastern shore.
Slyster
join:2015-01-08
Sugar Grove, VA

Slyster

Member

Hard to reach areas?

More like refuse to reach areas!

TamaraB
Question The Current Paradigm
Premium Member
join:2000-11-08
Da Bronx
·Verizon FiOS
Ubiquiti NSM5
Synology RT2600ac
Apple AirPort Extreme (2013)

TamaraB

Premium Member

Exciting Technology

While I dislike Evil Google, the idea of a global stratospheric balloon network is exciting. It has the potential of providing data and voice services to the most remote parts of the globe at nominal cost when scaled. Twenty First Century stuff, I like it!
Jim_in_VA (banned)
join:2004-07-11
Cobbs Creek, VA

Jim_in_VA (banned)

Member

Re: Exciting Technology

I read they are riding the 40th parallel South ... sure ain't much on that route

tshirt
Premium Member
join:2004-07-11
Snohomish, WA

tshirt

Premium Member

Re: Exciting Technology

said by Jim_in_VA:

... sure ain't much on that route

But probably can reach anything south of the equator> southern Africa> austrailia, NZ, south America, all have underserved populations and a good test area if successful a few more bands (equator and 40ÂșN) would be next.

NOCMan
MadMacHatter
Premium Member
join:2004-09-30
Colorado Springs, CO

NOCMan

Premium Member

Love this project

Imagine full coverage in most of the western US where the mountainous terrain blocks signals from a lot of places. People who get lost can get rescued easier. Not to mention the benefits to many in the farming communities who have basic internet access who can use faster speeds to improve their farming operations.

Hopefully US providers negotiate roaming deals with Loon so we can realize universal service for LTE across the US.

jap
Premium Member
join:2003-08-10
038xx

jap

Premium Member

Re: Love this project

said by NOCMan:

Hopefully US providers negotiate roaming deals with Loon so we can realize universal service for LTE across the US.

First Loon would need to secure fly-over rights for multiple nations. Wonder if Verizon will lobby for or against.
Aranarth
join:2011-11-04
Stanwood, MI

Aranarth

Member

Speed?

Anyone have a link to an article that gives speed test results for this service?
I have seen anyone give an idea on cost either...