Govt. ties up with Google to boost internet access

29 July 2015 03:29 am - 0 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

A A A

By Chandeepa Wettasinghe
The Sri Lankan government yesterday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with tech giant Google Inc. to make Sri Lanka the first country in the world to have universal Wi-Fi Internet access through solar powered balloons of the Google Loon project, which will act as telecom towers in the sky.

“You can get high-speed Internet directly from the sky, without the obstacles that interfere with normal towers. The main beneficiaries will be the citizens and the telecommunication companies,” Information Communication Technology Agency CEO Muhunthan Canagey, who signed the MoU on behalf of Sri Lankan government said.

He said with this ‘game changer’, rural societies will have the same opportunities as those living in cities in business and education, and stressed that Internet is a citizen’s right in a knowledge-centric world.

He noted that data charges will be brought down drastically as more citizens will start using the Internet using the new infrastructure.

“Currently, the data charges are ridiculous. For low charges, the speeds are low, and telecom companies put limits on the bandwidth,” he noted.

Google Loon will allow up to 40 Mbps speeds and 22 Mbps LTE services. Canagey said that telecos cannot currently provide such speeds in reality due to the cluttering of telecom towers which too will be enhanced due to the balloons which are called Raven Aerostar.

“The spectrums are not efficiently being used. As the connections will be transferred to the balloons, it will clear the clutter and provide faster connections through the towers as well,” he added.

Canagey also pointed out that new towers will not be erected anymore, saving the country from environmental damage.

The balloons work by floating in the stratosphere 20 kilometres above the earth’s surface. They stay in place by shifting up and down between different wind layers in the stratosphere. Each balloon can cover up to 5000 square kilometres with broadband connectivity.

Canagey said that Google signed the MoU for 13 balloons to be floating simultaneously, which would cover the entire island. He noted that the current flight limit for the solar powered balloon is 187 days, which will become even longer as technology evolves.

“There won’t be any downtime, because before one balloon reaches the end of its limit, another will be sent before bringing the other down.
So we’ll actually be getting 14 or 15 balloons to ensure there is no downtime,” he added.

Google will monitor the balloons which will be integrated to the global balloon network, which includes those in the pilot projects conducted in New Zealand and the US.

Canagey said that trials will commence on December 31, 2015, and the service will go online by March 31, 2016.

He noted that countrywide Internet access will promote the Internet of things model in Sri Lanka, allowing the government and other organizations to gather information and analyze easily.

He expressed that the government will continue to invest in free Wi-Fi hotspots across the country, currently being set up across over 1,000 public locations and 3,500 state sector buildings.

“We will also try to work out a model for free limited Wi-Fi through the balloons,” he added.

Order Gifts and Flowers to Sri Lanka. See Kapruka's top selling online shopping categories such as Toys, Grocery, Kids Toys, Birthday Cakes, Fruits, Chocolates, Clothing and Electronics. Also see Kapruka's unique online services such as Money Remittence,Astrology, Courier/Delivery, Medicine Delivery and over 700 top brands. Also get products from Amazon & Ebay via Kapruka Gloabal Shop into Sri Lanka

Comments - 0

Add comment
Comments will be edited (grammar, spelling and slang) and authorized at the discretion of Daily Mirror online. The website also has the right not to publish selected comments.

Govt. ties up with Google to boost internet access

Comments - 0

Add comment

RECOMMENDED

UDA owned land in Thalawathugoda; UDA Minister Prasanna Ranatunga under the spotlight for forceful occupation of reserved land

Loss-making SMIB faces political pressure in recovering loans

Baltimore Bridge Collapse: MV Dali, SL authorities anchored in mystery?

Has Sri Lanka become a potential hub for the illegal wildlife trade?

Spotlight on Moragahakanda Development Project Moragolla villagers lose livelihoods and down to one meal a day

Ambitious Sri Lankan jobseekers ‘trafficked into Ukraine war zones’

Western purple-faced langurs see blue!

Most Viewed in News

New Visa procedure implemented

Street food vendor arrested for verbally harassing foreigner

Complaint lodged over Piumi Hansamali's possession of Gota’s Range Rover

April 15 declared a government holiday

SL on alert on possible genocide allegations by Canada

Confusion remains if April 15 is a bank holiday

MIRROR CRICKET

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings

Chamodi, Dewmi spins Sri Lanka U19 Women to big win

TODAY'S HEADLINES

Debt Restructuring Talks: Bondholders Fear Regime Change Impact

Don’t be deceived by NPP and Cardinal Ranjith: UNP

Emirates halts check-in for connections, UL cancels flights to Dubai

Plans afoot to obtain “Blue Flag Beaches” certification for SL beaches

Hardik fined Rs 12 lakh for violating IPL code of conduct after win over Punjab Kings

Chamari Athapaththu sets big goal for T20 World Cup

How does CSK get best out of Pathirana?

Mendis, Mathews move up in ICC Test Rankings