06/21/2013

Beaming Internet to the Boondocks, Via Balloon

10:02 minutes

Rather than relying on cell towers, phone lines, or fiber optics, Google plans to beam 3G-speed Internet to the world’s most inaccessible corners using helium balloons. The experiment is called “Project Loon.” Leader Mike Cassidy talks about the project’s first step: providing balloon Internet to New Zealand and the 40th parallel south.

Segment Guests

Mike Cassidy

Mike Cassidy is project manager of ‘Project Loon’ at Google X in Mountain View, California.

Meet the Producer

About Christopher Intagliata

Christopher Intagliata was Science Friday’s senior producer. He once served as a prop in an optical illusion and speaks passable Ira Flatowese.