Google’s parent company Alphabet’s Project Loon technology aims to deliver internet connectivity in areas where there is none. The system involves the use of balloons to beam down high-speed internet access to connect more people to the internet. Kenya’s ICT minister has confirmed that the country will be using Alphabet’s Project Loon to connect more of its rural population to the internet.
The Project Loon technology has already been put to good use. It was extensively used by telecom operators in the United States to provide connectivity to more than 250,000 people in Puerto Rico last year after a devastating hurricane wiped out the infrastructure.
Kenya is aiming to connect more people living in its rural areas to the internet. Joe Mucheru, Kenya’s information, communication and technology minister confirmed to Reuters that Project Loon’s representatives are holding discussions with local telecom operators in the country for the deployment of their internet beaming balloons.
“The Loon team are still working out contracts and hopefully once that is done, we can be able to see almost every part of the country covered,” the minister added.
Alphabet’s Project Loon has also confirmed that it’s holding discussions with operators in Kenya but didn’t provide any further details.