Can Google Really Connect the World?

Google's main goal is to unite the whole world online by providing internet access to all kinds people from all over the globe. In order to do this, they must think of a bright plan on how to reach inaccessible places such as seas, mountain terrain and technically places where cell sites couldn't reach. The method they can think of could be a satellite, but it's too expensive to launch satellites and it's too lengthy and complicated to execute. Then one day, Google X has a better idea..

The Project called is PROJECT LOON. The concept is to use high-altitude balloons and send it up in to the stratosphere to create a wireless internet service network that can provide 4G and LTE speeds seamlessly to all kinds of LTE powered devices.


But the question is, can it really connect the world? Can we all use internet data anywhere we go? Or will there be any limitations?



Google's Vision

Google's main vision is to provide internet access for all kinds of people. When they said all people, they literally mean the entire population. Yes! you've heard it right. In their Project Loon's introduction video, they stated that only 1 out of 3 individuals have access on the internet, and their goal is to give 3 out of 3 internet access.

How Does Project Loon Work?

Project Loon concept is simple. They will be  flying a Polyethylene plastic envelope balloon using helium up to the Stratosphere (similar to hot air balloon). The balloons then would arrange and move with the wind to form one large communication network similar to a satellite. But in this case, They are flying literally hundreds or thousands of balloon to cover the whole world.   Each balloon will provide LTE connectivity to the ground  for approximately 80 km in diameter per balloon. The balloon would they relay wireless traffic from devices back to the global internet using high-speed links.

Click here for: How does project Loon Work?

The balloon is carrying a box containing circuit board that control the system, radio antennas for communicating other balloons and internet antennas on the ground, lithium ion batteries (for storing solar power) and Solar panel to power the electronics inside the box.


Can Google Really Provide Internet for Everyone ?

There's still one thing that bothers me about the feasibility of their vision. They have stated in the video that they literally wanted everyone to have internet access, but I still think that It's still not going to happen.  In poor countries where people can't afford to have something to eat, internet access is for them is like giving a person a smart phone, rather than giving them something to ease the hunger. Also, even though everyone can connect to the internet wherever they go, It's a mere fact that only those who can pay gets a share of the internet.

Also, in their video, Google said that "They wanted to give everyone affordable Internet everywhere." If they mean, "everywhere," there's a lot of expense that would go on in their part.  Seamless data connection and Internet Data Service are two different worlds, but the Project Loon aims to converge these two different worlds into a "seamless internet data and coverage  wherever you go".  The idea is good for us customers,  and investors would also love this idea.


The Battle of Internet Service Providers


The concept alone is a good selling material  for telcos since this is project will never require them to create additional land-based LTE stations, yet all they have to do is to lease from Google's Project Loon. It will be also good for the customers since there will be an internet access wherever you go.

If the project have successfully succeeded in the future, most Internet providers will be interested to invest in this project. All Telcos will race to get to the first one who have this feature in their value added services. Which also means, this project may prompt opportunistic ISPs to charge more above the usual rate for this new kind of technology. Contrary to the fact that Google stated that they wanted to provide affordable internet for everyone.

 Indonesia  Will be Among the First to Experience Project Loon

In Project Loon's official Google+ acount, a post there dated Oct 2015, stated that Project loon has teamed up with 3 of Indonesia's large mobile network operators namely Indosat, Telkomsel, and XL Axiata. The Project Loon team and these providers will start using the project in 2016.

The internet data needed by the balloon will depend on the "Ground Station" owned by local telecommunications and internet providers. As of now, there are no technical details about other official  "Internet Service Provider" and carriers (aside from the one mentioned earlier) that will provide the data being carried out by the balloon.

The standard cost of the internet bandwidth speeds offered will also depend on the current plans of the local telcos.