In the so-called “internet age,” the digital divide actually splits the world into two parts: the in’s and the out’s. It is often enough to move away from large urban centers to feel “cut off from the world.” On closer inspection, the Internet is a global community, but only for those who are part of it; in fact, according to statistical data reported by Google, two-thirds of the world’s population still do not have access to the Internet.
From this observation and with the assumption that for each problem (market) a specific solution should be studied, Google had launched two years ago the Fiber project with which it intended to bring broadband to deprived areas by building an Internet network through the implementation of an experimental fiber optic infrastructure. An alternative to be explored is that of a satellite network. Fiber takes advantage of a network of blimps suspended in mid-air, with no need to install equipment or cables on the ground; they are linked together to a network of smartphones (Android ça va sans dire) based on low-power processors. Started in the areas of sub-Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia, and expanded in some large areas such as Kansas City, it aims not only to bring connectivity to rural and remote areas of the world and cover gaps in coverage in served areas, but also to speed up the Net in densely populated urban areas and ensure immediate recovery in case of disasters.
A ring of hot air balloons, so Google will fight the digital divide
An “anti-digital divide bus” had already been piloted in Rwanda in 2011, within which 20 stations, a screen with projector, and a printer were set up. It was a great success and, in our view, also served to realize that a large and potentially emerging market share could not be given up. Offering connection to a billion people, to talk about some numbers, would also mean incentivizing the purchase of devices(PCs, smartphones, tablets). From the secretive Google X labs, the same ones that Google Glass came out of to be clear, comes Project loon the Mountain View giant’s new innovation that will continue the “work” of Google Fiber. Project loon, then, aims to reduce the digital divide that currently exists, between the 2.2 billion people who are already online and the 4.8 billion who are not by overcoming the economic and geographic criticalities that have determined it to date. In fact, if on the one hand the lack of connection stems from objective impediments related to the conformation of our Planet such as mountains, deserts, islands in the middle of the ocean, forests and swamps, on the other hand from an economic point of view transporting the cables would have a very high cost. The technology used, which is still entirely experimental, is a reintroduction of an invention from the past and is potentially revolutionary; the idea is to create a ring of balloons that will fly around the world exploiting atmospheric currents bringing the Net at low cost and to places that are inconvenienced or affected by disasters.
The balloons are 15 meters in diameter and made of a plastic casing just 0.077 millimeters thick; each is equipped with solar panels that will provide electricity and the operation of radios, antennas, a flight computer, and an altitude control system, as well as the equipment needed to control the balloons’ flight; they are designed to fly at twice the altitude of commercial airplanes and capable of communicating with each other, creating a mesh network. Each will cover an area of about 780 square miles (about twice the area of New York City). The Ground Stations will connect with the local Internet infrastructure and transmit signals to the balloons, offering connections with speeds equal to or faster than 3G networks.
Pilot project launched in New Zealand, but followed by perplexity
The pilot project began this week with the launch of a few dozen balloons from the Tekapo area of the South Island in New Zealand and will involve 50 volunteers; each participant will connect to the balloon network using a special Internet antenna placed on his or her home, capable of sending and receiving signals from the balloons passing overhead. If Project Leader Mike Cassidy’s enthusiasm is engaging, on the other hand there are many who have some concerns. First of all, Google has not yet explained the costs of the operation, nor how many people will – once the project is completed – benefit from the service and what the modalities will be. Secondly from a strategic point of view, the question has been asked why focus on hot air balloons rather than satellite communications. Indeed, the alleged complete control they claim to have over hot air balloons in flight propelled by the winds does not seem entirely convincing. They are supposed to fly at an intermediate altitude between area routes and satellite orbits; however, in the United States it will always be necessary to notify the Federal Aviation Administration of the balloons’ passage…for other states relative arrangements are being made. Should the pilot project go well and the feedback received from volunteers be positive, Google expects by the end of the year to increase the number of balloons to 300 and cover the area that lies on the 40th parallel and includes New Zealand, Australia, Chile and Argentina. Surely, Google itself makes this explicit in its blog, more users means more potential “Google searchers” which, simply put, means more opportunities for businesses to show their advertising. We will follow up with updates in the coming months, stay tuned!
