[Infowarrior] - Google dropping $1B to build 180 Internet satellites

[Richard Forno]

Jun 2, 2014, 6:20am PDT Updated: Jun 2, 2014, 7:59am PDT
Google dropping $1B to build 180 Internet satellites

http://www.bizjournals.com/sanjose/news/2014/06/02/google-dropping-1b-to-build-180-internet.html

Google Inc. is spending $1 billion to create and deploy 180 low-Earth orbit satellites to equip underserved regions of the world with Internet access, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Project details are scarce, but the Journal reports that the company expects to launch satellites that will orbit the globe at altitudes lower than traditional satellites, in a venture led by O3b Networks Ltd. founder Greg Wyler. He recently joined Mountain View-based Google after it hired Brian Holz, the satellite-communications company’s chief technology officer, in April.

Engineers from Palo Alto satellite company Space Systems/Loral LLC have also been brought in to work on the project, which could run more than $3 billion due to the network’s final design and a future increase in the number of satellites, according to the Journal.

The search and advertising company’s ambitions to bring Internet access to underserved areas have been building for some time now. Google launched Project Loon — an initiative to deliver Wi-Fi through high-flying solar-powered air balloons — last June. It acquired high-altitude drone maker Titan Aerospace in April and is reportedly in talks to buy Mountain View-based Skybox Labs, which builds smaller satellites that can be arranged in constellations for improved satellite imaging.

Google isn't the only Silicon Valley company with eyes on the sky. Menlo Park-based Facebook Inc. is also looking to connect unwired corners of the Earth and operates Internet.org, an initiative that aims to bring Internet connections to 5 billion unconnected people.



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