Why use Blimps and balloons
Infrastructural challenges of sub-Saharan Africa makes it
almost impossible to have wired networks
that cover most parts of a country. Some regions are simply inaccessible because
of geographical challenges. Therefore the
only option is to use high altitude platforms like Blimps and balloons to
facilitate seamless transmission.
Wireless networks are the ultimate solution when it comes to increasing internet penetration of East Africa and other regions of the world within the shortest time possible.
An Array of Wireless Technologies Is Required
There is no silver bullet. No single technology can
addressed the issue of internet connectivity in East Africa, Southern Africa
and underdeveloped regions of Asia.
Google Engineers are presently brainstorming a number of
technologies. So far, the most viable options have been found to be harnessing
the power of radio frequencies and white spaces. These two can unlock a bright
new future for over 6 billion people
living in rural areas across the developing world.
Permission from a government is required so that Google can
start utilizing the network of a country for the sake of facilitating internet
connections. In East Africa, the necessary institutions in Kenya are already involved
in high level talks with the officials of this multinational corporation
related to increasing wireless penetration.
Why Google is Very Keen with White Space Technology
White space technology makes it possible to transmit signals
over geographical barriers like hills, walls and trees. However, the curvature
of the earth will still be an issue but there are many documented techniques
that can be used to improve reception in rare cases when matters like curvature
will be an issue.
A Google white space network will involve an online
database, a base station and a blimp or a balloon. The station will relay messages to the blimp
platform with details such as protocol and GPS co-ordinates. Subsequently,
feedback will be sent back indicating the frequency ranges that are available.
White Space Technology Has Already Been Tested In South Africa
Since Microsoft trials that were undertaken in South Africa
yielded positive results, the case for East Africa will not involve starting
from scratch. Also, launching of wireless networks in this region of Africa will
borrow heavily from experiments that were carried out in South Africa that
involved running databases using White Space radios.
Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania Have Unused Radio Frequencies
Google is trying to negotiate with these governments on
usage of these frequencies. These bands are presently not being used for TV and
radio transmission because of historic anomalies. For a long time they have
been off limits to internet providers. However, with a small change in
government regulation, Google can be allowed to tap into unused frequencies for
the sake of increasing internet penetration.
In a world that is increasingly being transformed by virtual platforms, Africa should not be left behind. With investments from top dollar
companies like Google, East Africans may soon be able to catch up with fast
paced technologies of the west. A lot of deliberations between different
stakeholders are presently being undertaken about how to increase internet penetration
in developing and underdeveloped countries.
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