Alphabet launches Internet balloons in Puerto Rico
Google’s parent Alphabet Inc partnered with AT&T to advance the Project Loon initiative in Puerto Rico), to provide Internet access to remote areas affected by Hurricane Maria. The initiative involves the use of high-altitude helium balloons, flying at more than 60,000 feet (18,000 metres) above land and navigating using an algorithm that allows them to deliver signal by rising and falling to ride wind currents. Alphabet is using machine learning powered algorithms to keep the balloons clustered over Puerto Rico. AT&T has deployed over 14 temporary cell sites and more than 60% of Puerto Rico and 90% of the US Virgin Islands have been reconnected.