Google may get approval to test Loon in India

Google is reportedly in discussions with the Indian government to test its Project Loon in the nation through a four-day pilot program.

The company is likely to secure approval for the test in Andhra Pradesh or Maharashtra. State-owned operator BSNL is co-ordinating with Google on the project, providing space, spectrum coordination and equipment testing, according to the report.

The companies are evaluating the use of either the 700-MHz or 2500-MHz bands for the pilot, and the latter seems the more likely choice as it would not require the approval of the Department of Telecom. BSNL has 20 MHz of spectrum in the 2500-MHz band across 14 of India’s 22 telecom circles.

Project Loon is a Google “moon shot” aimed at providing internet connectivity via a network of high-altitude helium balloons circling the globe.

Trials of the technology are also being conducted in the US, Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, New Zealand and Sri Lanka. The technology is being developed with a particular focus on improving connectivity in emerging nations