ROOM
11
Special Report
of stratospheric balloons. Each balloon will
float in the stratosphere and provide internet
access to the population in a large area below
it. The balloons are mobile, and will drift with
the stratospheric winds across the globe.
Stratospheric winds, their velocities and
directions, which alter with altitude, are well-
studied and well-known. It is possible to control
the balloon’s location simply by varying its altitude.
A control centre would monitor balloon locations,
ensuring that damaged balloons are replaced, and
that no area is left without coverage.
In June 2013, the first balloon tests took place
in New Zealand. Thirty balloons were launched to
provide internet access to a test group. Currently,
tests are conducted in open areas, with the aim of
providing uninterrupted connectivity for distinct
regions, before operating on a global scale.
According to current plans, an operational system
could begin later in 2017.
From the sky
Facebook’s proposed drones would be powered
electrically, using solar panels to remain aloft
for long periods of time. This concept removes
the need for landing, refuelling or the logistics
needed to provide fuel to all the aircraft, at least
during the proposed 90-day flight time. Drones
can fly close enough to the ground to maximize
signal strength but high enough so that wind and
physical obstacles will not compromise mission
endurance. Drones can be precisely controlled
and, unlike satellites, are reusable in the sense that
they can land to be upgraded or fixed if needed.
The first test flight of Facebook’s unmanned
drone named Aquila was completed on 28 June
The most popular technology for space
communication is radio frequency (RF)
communication, used by Project Loon, SpaceX
and OneWeb. A new, emerging technology is laser
communication, used by Facebook’s drones.
These new approaches to providing internet
connections from the sky or space - dubbed ‘sky-
fi’ - bring with them both technical and political
challenges, the latter including adapting laws and
regulations among countries. Right now, very little
regulation exists to govern this new approach.
Up in the air
Google’s Project Loon is designed to provide
worldwide internet coverage using a fleet
Only 39% of
the world’s
population
has Internet
access -
meaning four
billion people
live their lives
without it
Google
Photo from the Google
Project Loon launch event
in Christchurch, New
Zealand, in 2016.
