Google gets government nod to beam internet from balloons

NEW DELHI: Internet giant Google is working with the government on a pilot project for providing internet connectivity by using large balloons. Google, under its Project Loon, is using big balloons floating at a height of 20-kilometres above Earth surface for transmission of internet services. It has already tested this technology in New Zealand, California (the US) and Brazil. "Google approached government to set up the Loon project and drone-based internet transmission. Government has approved testing of Loon project only as of now. A committee under chairmanship of Secretary, DeitY, has been formed to work on it," an official source told PTI. Google may initially partner with BSNL for testing this technology by using broadband spectrum in 2.6GHz band. TOI