Kenya's 4G internet balloons pilot to be discontinued
Kenya will from March discontinue a pilot project meant to provide internet access to remote areas.
This is after Google's parent-company Alphabet scrapped a firm, Loon, that was to build giant balloons to beam the internet.
The internet-enabled balloons were to provide 4G internet service so people can make voice and video calls, browse the web, email, text and stream videos.
But the project failed to get costs low enough to make it sustainable, Alphabet's chief executive said in a blog post on Thursday.
Loon had signed a major deal with a Kenyan telecommunications company, Telkom, to bring 4G to remote parts of the country.
Telkom has said the pilot technology will end on March 1 following the announcement that Loon is being wound down.
"Over the coming months, the Loon team will work closely with Telkom to ensure the operations of the technology’s pilot service are wrapped up safely and smoothly," it said in a statement.
Source: BBC
Trending News
Naa Okromo not pregnant – Gender minister-designate says she'll be reunited with her parents
20:33'No one above the law!': Court orders CID boss' arrest for 'blatant' disregard of summonses
01:47Policeman crashes to death while in hot pursuit of road traffic offender
20:25Gov't invites proposals from private partners to complete Saglemi housing project
13:53Mahama to form joint army-police anti-robbery squads to safeguard 24-hour economic activities
19:38KTU power cut: You're not our boss - ECG workers demand apology from Ashanti minister for causing GM's arrest
19:43PNC's cracks deepen as 11 of 16 national executive members resign to form new party
13:50New F. Alpha and Omega Specialist Hospital offers free healthcare to locals in Accra
14:59Curfew imposed on Sampa amid chieftaincy dispute
19:29Man held for robbing late vice president's widow of ₵28,000, £50, and $2,200 at gunpoint
13:06