Wifi doesn't reach all areas yet, but with the help of tiny balloons invented by Jerry Knoblach, coverage in rural America could reach new heights.
"Space Data Corp, already launches 10 balloons a day across the Southern U.S., providing specialized telecom services to truckers and oil companies," the WSJ says. "The balloons soar 20 miles into the stratosphere, each carrying a shoebox-size payload of electronics that acts like a mini cellphone 'tower' covering thousands of square miles below.
"His idea has caught the eye of Google Inc., according to people familiar with the matter. The Internet giant -- which is now pushing into wireless services -- has considered contracting with Space Data or even buying the firm."
You know what's fun about this? Imagine millions of balloons hovering over the earth, blasting so much naughty content and Facebook photos, that we will literally be welcoming the aliens with social networked garbage. Post that on your wall!
WiFi Balloons
Floating Cell Phone Towers
Trend Themes
1. Internet Balloons - Developing low-cost balloons that can provide connectivity to remote areas and offer a novel solution to bridging the digital divide.
2. Stratospheric Telecommunications - Deploying mini cellphone 'towers', mounted on high-altitude balloons, to provide cost-effective internet connectivity and specialized telecom services for diverse industries.
3. Wireless-in-the-sky - Exploring a new breed of telecommunications infrastructure that operates from the stratosphere and offers a sustainable solution to broadband access challenges in underserved geographies.
Industry Implications
1. Telecommunications - Integrating low-cost balloons and mini cellphone 'towers' into the existing infrastructure to offer seamless internet and specialized telecom services, even in the remotest areas.
2. Logistics and Transportation - Utilizing high altitude balloons to provide real-time connectivity for global positioning systems (GPS) and other tracking technologies, improving routing and traffic management efficiencies.
3. Agriculture and Energy - Leveraging high-altitude ballooning telecommunications to monitor crop health and weather patterns and provide ruggedized connectivity to oil rigs and drilling sites in remote locations.