This archive report was first published on 8 July 2020.
Kenya has taken a significant step towards bridging the digital divide with the launch of a balloon-powered internet service by Telkom and Loon. The service, which started in July 2020, uses advanced technology to provide mobile internet to underserved regions.
According to Loon and Telkom, the service has been tested in various locations, including Iten, Eldoret, Baringo, Nakuru, Kakamega, Kisumu, Kisii, Bomet, Kericho, and Narok, covering an area of nearly 50,000 square kilometers.
During field testing, the service achieved impressive speeds, with an uplink speed of 4.74 Mbps, a downlink speed of 18.9 Mbps, and latency of 19 milliseconds. The service was used for various applications, including email, web browsing, data calls, video calls, and YouTube.
However, Loon and Telkom have acknowledged that there may be instances of intermittent service availability due to wind patterns and restricted airspaces. To mitigate this, they are working together to improve the user experience and limit potential service disruptions.
ICT CS Joe Mucheru welcomed the launch, stating that it was an exciting milestone for internet service provision in Africa and the world. Telkom Kenya's CEO, Mugo Kibati, added that the service would pioneer in Kenya and complement the company's strategy to widen its network coverage.
Loon's CEO, Alastair Westgarth, expressed gratitude to the government agencies that supported the launch, stating that it was the culmination of years of work and collaboration between Loon, Telkom, and the government.
With the COVID-19 pandemic having a significant impact on online education and other crucial interventions, the balloon-powered internet service is expected to play a vital role in bridging the digital divide and providing alternative communication options.
