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Google’s Wi-Fi Balloons Will Make Sri Lanka First Nation With Universal Internet Coverage

Google’s Project Loon, which uses high-altitude balloons to provide Wi-Fi, is set to launch in Sri Lanka making it the first nation to have universal internet coverage.

The tech giant’s ambitious project aims to provide ‘balloon-powered internet for everyone’, predominantly in remote rural areas around the globe.

The initiative involves floating huge helium-filled balloons up to the stratosphere where they receive Wi-Fi signals from grounded stations below. These signals are then bounced along to the next balloon, which can then transmit the signal across a 40km range allowing users to connect their smartphones and other mobile devices.

First unveiled in 2013, Project Loon has since been tested in the US, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil and is finally ready for its first actual launch in Sri Lanka.

Google has signed a preliminary agreement for the government of the island nation, with the technology set to be in place in 2016.

A total of13 balloons are set to launch in March 2016, floating far above the fight path of any passing aircraft, from where they can transmit a universal connection to the entire country. The location and trajectory of each balloon can be easily tracked by Google.

However, the balloons don’t last forever - they need to be replaced around three times a year but local internet service providers will have access to the balloons, enabling costs to be kept to a minimum.

If the project is successful it could prove to be life-changing for those in remote regions around the globe.

Google’s project lead Mike Cassidy, said “Any one with a smartphone anywhere in the world will be able to get internet access”.

(Image credit: Google)