This archive report was first published on 13 December 2019.
Published on December 13, 2019, Loon, a Google subsidiary, has received approval from the Ugandan government to operate its balloon-powered internet service in the country's stratosphere.
The approval, which comes after a two-year process, allows Loon to work collaboratively with other regional governments, including Kenya and Tanzania, to secure overflight approvals and provide service on the continent.
Loon uses high-altitude balloons to provide mobile internet to remote areas, and the company has extensive experience operating safely in the stratosphere around the world.
According to Loon, its balloons have flown over 1 million flight hours and traveled over 40 million kilometers – equivalent to flying to the moon 100 times.
Loon's balloons are monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year from a mission control center in Mountain View, California.
Director General of Uganda Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), Dr. David Mpango Kakuba, commented on the ceremony, saying, “It was a two-year journey and we are glad that the Loon team persevered in explaining us this technology that is designed to help mankind.”
US Ambassador to Uganda Deborah R. Malac also praised the partnership, saying, “Loon is the perfect public – private partnership example where both sectors work hand-in-hand to provide efficient solutions to information access challenges for the underserved areas in countries such as Uganda.”
