It was one of three balloons that were put up in Sri Lankan airspace for trials to provide high-speed internet service after it was launched from South America.
About Google’s Project Loon
Project Loon is a pet project of search engine giant Google for providing Internet access to rural and remote areas using high-altitude helium-filled balloons.
These balloons will be placed at an altitude of about 18 km in the stratosphere where wind speed is low and turbulence is minimum.
Google’s Project Loon began its operations in Sri Lanka after first helium-filled balloon landed in Pupuressa area in Gampola town.
Each balloon can provide full wireless broadband internet coverage up to an area of 40 km and are powered mainly by solar panels.
These balloons have transceivers which can connect to cell phone networks in order to fill the gaps in their networks especially in remote areas such as mountains and deserts.
It promises to extend mobile and data coverage at cheaper rates for the people. These balloons will have a lifespan of about 180 days and can be recycled.
Key Points
Sri Lanka was the first country in South Asia region to introduce mobile phones in 1989 and also first to roll out a 3G network in 2004. It was also the first in the region to unveil a 4G network in 2013.
Current Affairs 19th February, 2016 Current Affairs Question and Answers Round Up January. Current Affairs Round up January, 2016.
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