Loon sends internet connection balloons to Kenya

The fruition of a project that has been a decade in the making, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc, which is the parent company of Google, has launched a number of balloons which are already on their way to the skies over Kenya, where they will provide 4G internet access.

The solar-powered balloons launched from Puerto Rico and Nevada by Loon, a subsidiary of the same company that owns Google, are now on their way to Kenya, flying in the stratosphere at an altitude of around 20,000 meters. In the wake of extensive tests, this is the first time that the balloons have been officially launched with a view to providing a commercial service in partnership with a local operator, Telkom Kenya.

Before they arrive over Kenya, the balloons will complete a journey of more than 11,000 km, flying on air currents and automatically guided by machine-learning algorithms, which take into account the drift of stratospheric winds and weather forecasts. The first of the balloons to be launched headed south along the Brazilian coast before overflying the Cape of Good Hope and passing to the east of Madagascar.

Once they have arrived at their destination, the balloons are stabilized at a more or less constant altitude to enable them to provide coverage to a wide geographical area. When the entire fleet of balloons for the project has been deployed, Kenya will become Loon’s first customer. The internet service is expected to be up and running within the next few weeks.

Loon’s stated goal is to make the internet accessible to all of the world’s population, including those who live in very remote areas.

Hot this week

The Myth of Perfect Security

Perfect security is a myth, and focusing on resilience rather than prevention can better protect your organization from inevitable breaches.

Why Traditional Passwords Are Failing Us

Password fatigue from complex rules often causes more security breaches than weak passwords, requiring a shift toward user-friendly tools and behaviors.

Why Your Employees Are Your Best Security Defense

Empowering employees with security awareness training often provides better protection than stacking more technology, turning human factors from a weakness into your strongest defense.

Why Most Security Awareness Training Fails and What to Do About It

Security awareness training often fails because it focuses on knowledge rather than behavior, but shifting to a behavior-based approach can lead to better outcomes and fewer incidents.

The Myth of Multifactor Authentication Security

Multifactor authentication enhances security but is not foolproof, as it can be bypassed through social engineering and technical exploits. Understanding its limitations and adopting stronger methods is essential for effective protection.

Topics

The Myth of Perfect Security

Perfect security is a myth, and focusing on resilience rather than prevention can better protect your organization from inevitable breaches.

Why Traditional Passwords Are Failing Us

Password fatigue from complex rules often causes more security breaches than weak passwords, requiring a shift toward user-friendly tools and behaviors.

Why Your Employees Are Your Best Security Defense

Empowering employees with security awareness training often provides better protection than stacking more technology, turning human factors from a weakness into your strongest defense.

Why Most Security Awareness Training Fails and What to Do About It

Security awareness training often fails because it focuses on knowledge rather than behavior, but shifting to a behavior-based approach can lead to better outcomes and fewer incidents.

The Myth of Multifactor Authentication Security

Multifactor authentication enhances security but is not foolproof, as it can be bypassed through social engineering and technical exploits. Understanding its limitations and adopting stronger methods is essential for effective protection.

Why MFA Is Not Enough Anymore

Multi-factor authentication is no longer a silver bullet for security as attackers develop new bypass methods, requiring a layered defense approach with phishing-resistant tools and continuous monitoring.

Why Phishing Still Works and What to Do About It

Phishing remains a top threat because it exploits human psychology, not just technical gaps. Shifting focus to employee awareness and habits can build stronger defenses than relying solely on technology.

Rethinking Password Security

Complex password rules often increase risk by encouraging poor habits. Learn how password managers and multi-factor authentication offer more practical protection for organizations of all sizes.
spot_img

Related Articles

Popular Categories