Earlier this month news emerged that Google was planning on experimenting with broadband by hot air balloon or blimp (affectionately called "blimpband" around these parts). Now Google has come out with more details about the project and given it a name: Google Loon. The new project plans to use hot-air balloons to provide broadband connectivity to regions that lack it, and over the weekend Google conducted the project's inaugural trial in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Google Loon will use hot air balloons 49 feet wide stationed 12 miles above the planet, well above the range of commercial aircraft. From there, ground base stations set some sixty miles apart communicate with solar-powered radio transmitters affixed to the balloons (which also communicate with each other). Google claims they should have some control over steering the balloons using wind as they ride the 40th parallel.

"Project Loon uses software algorithms to determine where its balloons need to go, then moves each one into a layer of wind blowing in the right direction," states the Google Loon project website. "By moving with the wind, the balloons can be arranged to form one large communications network."

Google makes that sound easier than it is. Broadband by blimp is something we've been talking about for the better part of the decade -- yet it has never taken off due to both cost and complexity. Google's blog claims they've solved some of this by relying more heavily on wind and solar power for the balloons. The test over the weekend in Christchurch involved some thirty balloons, though Google says they're looking for additional partners for additional tests.

According to Google, each balloon should be able to offer broadband connectivity to an area around 780 square miles -- ideal for both disaster areas and locations where other options simply aren't available. The Loon website has a number of videos explaining the project in more detail for those interested.