This archive report was first published on 10 December 2019.
On December 10, 2019, Loon LLC announced that it had secured an overflight agreement with the Ugandan government, allowing the company to operate its high-altitude balloons above the country.
The agreement, which grants Loon overflight approvals, is a significant step towards providing internet access to rural and remote populations in Uganda.
Loon, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., uses high-altitude balloons in the stratosphere to create an aerial wireless network with up to 4G-LTE speeds. The company's operational altitude is well above ground-based weather events, making it an ideal solution for providing internet access to areas with limited mobile internet service.
Loon has similar overflight agreements in place, enabling the company to extend internet access to rural and remote populations in other regions. For instance, in South America, Loon provides balloon-powered internet in Peru.
Loon is also pursuing operational approvals from regional governments, including Kenya and Tanzania, as part of its efforts to expand its internet access services.
Related: Loon successfully sends a single internet connection 1000km across 7 balloons
