Google's Project Loon: Can it Make Universal Internet Access a Reality?

 

One of Google's internet-beaming balloons

   Google is an ambitious Technology company, creating self-driving cars, hidden camera-equipped glasses, and now, balloons that can beam the internet down to people on the ground.  The goal of these balloons, referred to as part of "Project Loon" is to provide universal internet access by blanketing the stratosphere with these balloons.  Each balloon has a finite range, but grouped and spread about the sky, they could theoretically provide a blanket of continuous internet signals to receivers on the ground.  This approach to increasing access to the internet has two distinct advantages:  The balloons fly in the stratosphere, higher than planes and within the unlicensed spectrum, and it would be cheaper than laying fiber optic cable everywhere that needs internet access.  The fact that the balloons transmit from within the unlicensed spectrum is an advantage because they would not need to register and lease frequencies from the FCC like wireless network carriers do (AT&T, Verizon, Sprint, ect.).

  Google is trying to tackle a pressing problem around the world.  Even in the US, there is a significant portion of the rural population that is lacking an internet connection or is overcharged for inferior service.  More internet connections for this population could increase productivity and spur economic growth.  This effect would be seen around the world as well.  Since this problem is so important, why aren't more companies investigating solutions to correct this imbalance in access?  There is profit to be made, as Google will increase the audience for viewing its ads as a result of universal internet access.  Maybe other companies just can't see the connection, and are just looking to increase internet access where they know they can be paid well for it.  This pattern reinforces the pattern of keeping internet access away from those with low socioeconomic status.

    The projects that Google has undertaken thus far have been very ambitious and creative.  Their approach if successful could reward them with enormous influence if they are successful. Would a single company with so much influence be a good thing?  Whether or not it would be is a separate issue from the resistance they will definitely face as they move forward with this project and others.  Traditional telecommunications and internet providers will likely push back hard to stop Google's progress.  There has already been evidence of this from back when Google started laying Google Fiber in certain cities.  Telecom companies made it difficult to roll out the new service and start new projects in various cities.  Lobbying efforts can produce some significant effects, and I'm betting that those companies won't lay down and let Google reap the satisfaction of creating a completely connected world.