Google to launch 180 satellites to provide internet access for the ENTIRE planet
Now Google is going to dominate space: Search giant to
launch 180 satellites to provide internet access for the ENTIRE planet, sources
claim
Sources claim Google will spend more than $1bn (£600m) on
technology
Satellites will orbit the Earth at lower altitudes than
traditional satellites
Group also acquired a drone company to provide internet
connectivity
Facebook, meanwhile, is developing its own solar-powered
drones, satellites and lasers to deliver web access to underdeveloped countries
A separate Google project, dubbed Project Loon, is
designing high-altitude balloons to provide broadband service to remote regions
of the world
By ELLIE ZOLFAGHARIFARD
PUBLISHED: 04:38 EST, 2 June 2014 | UPDATED: 12:32 EST, 2
June 2014
The world wide web may seem like a global community, but
two-thirds of the planet still remain without access.
Now, Google is planning to change this by launching a
fleet of 180 satellites to provide web access for the 4.8 billion people not
yet online, according to sources close to the company.
The California-based giant will spend more than $1
billion (£600 million) on the technology, which will rival Facebook’s efforts
to connect remote regions of the world.
Details remain vague, but the Wall Street Journal reports
that the satellites will be small and high-capacity, and will orbit the Earth
at ‘lower altitudes than traditional satellites.’ Google's venture is being led
by Greg Wyler, founder of satellite-communications start-up O3b Networks, and
depending on the network's final design, the group may double the number of
proposed satellites.
The project is the latest venture from a Silicon Valley
to connect the world to the internet in the hopes of boosting revenues.
A separate project by Google, dubbed Project Loon, is
designing high-altitude balloons to provide broadband service to remote parts
of the world.
THE TITAN DRONE
In April, Google acquired Titan Aerospace, the drone
startup that makes high-flying robots which was previously targeted by Facebook
as a potential acquisition.
As well as its satellites, The company hopes to use the
Titan drone to provide connectivity to remote regions.
Project Loon was developed in the company's X Lab by the
same team behind Google Glasses and the driverless car.
It is hoped that it could save developing countries the
high cost of laying fibre cables to get online and lead to a dramatic increase
in internet access for the likes of Africa and south-east Asia.
In April, the company also acquired Titan Aerospace,
which is building solar-powered drones to provide similar connectivity.
Facebook, meanwhile, has its own drone plans.
In March, Mark Zuckerberg revealed solar-powered drones,
satellites and lasers are all being developed in the firm's labs to deliver the
internet to underdeveloped countries.
He has pledged to work on technology to deliver the
internet to 'the next 3 billion people' - and revealed the firm has hired
experts in solar power that can keep drones flying for months at a time.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology's deputy
president, Professor William Webb, said: 'The idea of using aerial platforms to
deliver connectivity is one that is many decades old, from low-orbital
satellites to balloons and more recently unmanned aerial vehicles.'
'The difficulty has always been one of keeping the aerial
platform in the right place in the sky for weeks or months at a low enough
cost. As technologies mature we get ever closer to achieving this and
Facebook's intervention in this space is a welcome boost to the area.'
He warned that there are many challenges to overcome
before the dream of providing internet access to remote communities via drone
can be achieved.
Facebook and Google also need to overcome regulatory
hurdles, including coordinating with operators so their fleet doesn't interfere
with other satellites.
'Top of the list is the need to make the drones
cost-effective, reliable and demonstrate to the regulators that they can
operate safely in our airspace,’ he added.
'Many other issues associated with access to radio
spectrum, national telecoms regulations and more will also need to be
addressed.’
PRIVACY IMPLICATIONS OF USING DRONES FOR INTERNET
CONNECTIVITY
Companies such as Facebook and Google have a checkered
history with privacy, and many have voiced concerns about how the site could
use drones to collect data about people.
In theory, the drones could be used to take aerial
images, or collect details about wireless networks and individuals.
As Facebook and Google's drones will be used to provide
internet to people home's, there will need to be a limited amount of data
collection to connect the homes to the network.
With this in mind, they are likely to be subject to
strict regulation.
In the U.S, for example, the Federal Aviation Authority's
(FAA) guidelines state private operators
are allowed to fly their drones ‘recreationally’ and commercial drones
are 'prohibited.'
However, earlier this year Judge Patrick Geraghty, from
the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) dismissed a fine, which the FAA
had placed on a drone photographer.
Geraghty said Raphael Pirker’s camera drone was ‘not
subject to [federal regulation] and enforcement,’ and therefore the fine wasn’t
valid. It is unsure exactly what this ruling will mean for companies such as
Amazon, and now Facebook, but it could see the restrictions relaxed.
The FAA is appealing. Facebook and Google are also planning
to use these drones in areas outside the U.S., and it will depend on the
individual country's laws on unmanned aircraft and surveillance.
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