Google to provide internet in remote villages of India through large balloons

The government India is taking all help possible to make Digital India a reality. Central government’s technology arm is working with Google to provide internet in remote areas through balloons. The California based search engine giant recently informed about its ‘Project Loon’. These large balloons will fly 20 kilometres above the Earth’s surface. The balloon will transmit internet signals. Trials of this technology have been successful in the mountainous regions of Brazil, California and New Zealand.

The official from Department of Technology and Communication told reporters that the Google asked for Indian government’s permission to implement drone-based internet services and the Loon project. The testing phase of Loon project has been approved by committee from Deity under the chairmanship of its secretary. Deity is technological consulting arm of the government. BSNL, India’s state run telecom company will tie up with Google for broadband spectrum on 2.6GHz band. This frequency and technology may replace mobile towers in future to provide 4G mobile signals.

The area of 40km diameter can be covered under LTE or 4G coverage through each balloon, according to information published by the Google. The people would be able to access LTE or other internet service through their phones as the Project Loon will collaborate with telecom operators and share their spectrum. Solar panels and wind power will run electronic equipment on the balloon. The Google is only technology provider in this process. Internet service providers will be telecom companies. The drone project of Google haven’t received green signal from the government of India yet. Company plans to provide internet through 8 solar powered dron