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17/06/2013 by
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Google Project Loon: Balloon-Powered Internet For Everyone

Google Project Loon is a network of balloons traveling on the edge of space, designed to connect people to the Internet in rural and remote areas.

Google Project Loon: Balloon-Powered Internet For Everyone

Many of us think of the Internet as a global community. But two-thirds of the world’s population does not yet have Internet access.

How technology is enabling us to do more good?

Explore the stunning Project Loon.

What is Google Project Loon?

Google believes it’s possible to create a ring of balloons that fly around the globe on the stratospheric winds and provide Internet access to the earth below. The balloons present some really hard science.

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A network of balloons designed to connect people in rural and remote areas, help fill coverage gaps, and bring people back online after disasters.

Project Loon balloons float in the stratosphere, twice as high as airplanes and the weather.

They are carried around the Earth by winds and they can be steered by rising or descending to an altitude with winds moving in the desired direction.

People connect to the balloon network using a special Internet antenna attached to their building.

The signal bounces from balloon to balloon, then to the global Internet back on Earth.

The Pilot Test

The Project Loon pilot test begins June 2013 on the 40th parallel south.

Singularity: Google Project Loon: Balloon-Powered Internet For Everyone

Thirty balloons, launched from New Zealand’s South Island, will beam Internet to a small group of pilot testers.

The experience of these pilot testers will be used to refine the technology and shape the next phase of Project Loon.

Stay tuned here at Project Loon.

My Opinion?
Singularity can change the world, and the lives of billions of people on our planet.

Why I love this project a lot? It shows the Google DNA: Collaborative ecosystems, not egosystems.

Larry Page and Sergey Brin clearly have a passion for technology and energy. And they are sharing their passion with the world.

Great mindset Google: Change the world.

What About You?
How do you rate Project Loon by Google? Share your ideas in the comments below.

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About the Author
Igor Beuker was CMO at 3 listed companies, chairman at the IAB, jury member at Webby, AMMA and Esprix awards, founder of 3 digital agencies (sold to WPP) and global chief social officer at Mindshare. Now he is freejack consultant and still a sought after keynote speaker.

 

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