Tech giants looks to skies for spreading Internet
Internet holds a special position in the life of the people today. Internet is a great boon from the technological world. Since Internet has taken birth, we have seen radical changes in our lifestyle as well. It is through Internet only that we are able to do every task with great ease. Internet has made impossible possible. It enables people to stay connected with anyone around the world. Not only this, Internet has made special contribution for growing business and trade worldwide. The US tech giants had recently thanked Internet for its immense contribution and support for what we are able to do in this century. Internet works via satellites that have been launched in the space. These satellites connect with each other and enable the world to connect with Internet. Sky is the only place which connects Internet and has a wide scope to spread it further.
Google has recently acquired Titan Aerospace which is the developer of solar powered drones. Titan Aerospace has made special contribution by coming up with this technology for boosting internet connection in remote areas as well. A spokesperson from Google informed, “It is still early days, but atmospheric satellites could help bring Internet access to millions of people, and help solve other problems, including disaster relief and environmental damage like deforestation.” The Solar powered drones from Titan Aerospace have a capacity to function at an altitude of 20000 meters which is equivalent to around 65000 feet consistently for five years. Google and Facebook have recognized the importance of accessing internet in remote areas. They felt great need to avail internet connection in every remote area possible. These drones function similarly to geostationary satellites but are less costly than the normal ones. The Aerospace will provide high altitude balloons, blimps, satellites and other flying machines which will facilitate reach of internet in remote areas as well.
The project is termed as Project Loon which has already been initiated by Google. These large balloons will be utilized to transmit internet connections in remote areas as well as in areas where Internet is not present. CEO of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg informed about the potential that he felt from this project. He said, “The technology has more endurance than balloons, while also being able to have their location precisely controlled. And unlike satellites, drones won’t burn up in the atmosphere when their mission is complete.” Currently Facebook has partnered with global partners namely Ericson, Qualcomm, Nokia and Samsung by establishing a group known as internet.org. The key objective of this group is to improvise upon internet connection and extend its reach to remote areas as well. The head of Endpoint Technologies, Roger Kay said, “It’s not quite clear if these ideas are merely pie in the sky.”It’s all very interesting but the technology is very unproven.”
Where few people are optimistic about the project, there are few who are skeptical about it as well. Jack Gold of J.Gold Associates informed, “People have played with it for years and it is not going anywhere. Don’t think it’s cost-effective for companies like Google and others to put up a thousand drones just to get people access.”
