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Feb. 21, 2008 at 8:48am Eastern by Barry Schwartz
Google May Launch Balloons Across World To Provide Mobile Access
We have been covering how Google may provide internet access to those users who don't have it yet for a while now. While the Submarine Cable Negotiator job at Google was pretty interesting, I think this new story may be even more interesting.
Floating a New Idea For Going Wireless, Parachute Included from the Wall Street Journal reports how Google is interested in possibly using disposable hydrogen-filled balloons packed with miniature versions of cellphone towers inside of them to provide internet access to those people who have a hard time getting it. Space Data Corp creates these balloons and launches 10 balloons a day across the Southern U.S. The balloons fly about 20 miles up in the sky, providing reception to towns that do not have cell phone towers.
Space Data says that a single balloon can serve an area otherwise requiring 40 cell towers. It is a cheap and efficient method of providing cell phone and wireless mobile access, and that is why Google is reportedly interested in the technology.
Here is a quick video from the Wall Street Journal that explains this much better than I can:
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By Barry Schwartz
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