Google launching balloons over New Zealand for mobile Wi-Fi

[Dan Druff]

Google is innovating yet again. They are launching balloons over New Zealand, meant to provide WiFi for people in rural and remote areas where high speed internet access is otherwise unavailable.

They will float at 60,000 feet. It is not clear if this could be a long-term solution, or if it's not viable to provide reliable internet access, but they are in the testing phases right now. I do wonder if they could be a possible danger for airplanes if one starts to sink and pilots are not aware of it.

[zealanddonk]

. I do wonder if they could be a possible danger for airplanes if one starts to sink and pilots are not aware of it.

We don't have planes in NZ so no worries there.

Sadly there are already nutters moaning about "This is just another tool for PRISM!!!!!11!!!" and pointing out that its being launched near Christchurch (which had the massive earthquakes 2 years ago) as a way to draw sympathy and distract people from its "true purpose".


Keep in mind, nowhere in NZ is more than 90 miles from the Ocean, so there aren't too many truly remote parts of nz. Access can be a bit dubious in some of the mountainous regions however.

Frankly if it works as intended its a very practical idea for emergency situations.

[Chad]

Balloons? Hahahahaha!!. Yeah sounds really secure. I wish my highspeed with based on balloon technology. I think google should try using it's money on innovating a way to help people keep their privacy instead. All we get from these guys are cyborg glasses, self-driving cars, and now balloon internet.