Google's bet on balloons to deliver cell service soon faces a crucial test ...
SAN FRANCISCO - Google’s bet on balloons to deliver cell service soon faces a crucial test amid doubts about the viability of the technology by some potential customers.
Its tennis-court-sized helium balloons have demonstrated utility. Over the last three years, Loon successfully let wireless carriers in Peru and Puerto Rico use balloons for free to supplant cell phone towers downed by natural disasters.But executives at five other wireless carriers courted by Loon across four continents told Reuters that Loon is not a fit currently, and may never be.
Loon also attracted outside funding. An arm of Japanese telecoms firm SoftBank Corp developing internet drones invested $125 million as part of a partnership this year. It has accelerated Loon’s previously unreported interest in industrial applications, such as serving farms and off-shore oil wells. But users can lose connections if winds push balloons astray. Their solar-powered gear needs abundant year-round sunshine, leaving chunks of the United States, Europe, China and southernmost South America and Africa off limits. And using balloons too close to cities could jam other communications.
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