Tech in Africa
Alphabet is terminating the Loon project after experiencing financial constraints. The project started in 2013 and relies on a network of high-altitude helium balloons so as to provide internet access to the rural and remote areas. This underlying technology is ideal in disaster scenarios and helps restore connectivity with far-reaching possibilities that provide connectivity in rural areas.
The first project was premiered in July 2018 when a commercial deal was signed between Telkom Kenya – it’s first telco company. The idea behind the startup was to pilot 4G/LTE access across Kenya. Last year another deal with Vodacom was sealed to expand internet penetration in Mozambique.
Loom was utilized by US telecoms operators back in 2017 to offer connectivity to over 250,000 across Puerto Rico. Alastair Westgarth, Loon CEO announced the decision to end the project with, “Developing radical new technology is inherently risky”
It’s worth noting that Alphabet is the parent company of Google.
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