Google Testing Wi Fi Blimps That Can Bring Internet To Africa & Emerging Regions
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Google is looking to bring Internet access into parts of the world where there is none. Of course every company wants to tap into emerging markets, however, the way Google wants to do this is very interesting.
According to the Journal’s article, Google “has worked on making special balloons or blimps, known as high-altitude platforms, to transmit signals to an area of hundreds of square miles, though such a network would involve frequencies other than the TV-broadcast ones.” The project is called ‘White Space’
Says Google:
White Space has a huge advantage over traditional ground based wi fi systems, because low-frequency signals can travel longer distances form a higher altitude. The technology is well suited to provide low-cost connectivity to rural communities with poor telecommunications infrastructure, and for expanding coverage of wireless broadband in densely populated urban areas.
Could this be the next generation of Google Fiber? which is being tested in select cities in the U.S.? We’ll see, the plan is definitely promising.
This could be a game changer for Africa, and other emerging regions, where internet access is almost non existent.
