LOON

Telkom kenya and google subsidiary loon have launched their internet balloon service, providing internet to rural areas of Kenya. This has come in handy when internet coverage is a major concern in not only in Kenya but world over.

The Covid-19 pandemic has made deployment of the balloons even more important, given the increasing need for online education and other services delivered via the web.Students and lecturers who resides in rural areas can now enjoy teaching and learning without any internet connection  disruption. 

The Internet-enabled balloons will be able to offer connectivity to the many Kenyans who live in remote regions that are underserved or totally unserved, and as such remain disadvantaged,” said Mugo Kibati, Telkom Kenya’s CEO. 

The balloons do not remain stationary, but move according to the winds in any given area. The aim is to deploy the balloons in a network so that coverage can be maintained no matter what the weather and prevailing winds do.

They float well above the stratosphere, higher than commercial air traffic, between 18 to 23 kilometres above the earth’s surface. 

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