Balloons. The new cutting edge technology (according to Google at least) as they launch their Project Loon.

Many people do not realize that the majority of the world is still not connected to the internet; currently an estimated 4.6 billion people have no access. Google explored options to bring cost-effective, reliable connectivity to the masses and rediscovered balloons. Through Project Loon they might just succeed to do exactly what they have set out to achieve - bring technologies of access to everyone on the planet!

The balloons constructed of thin polyethylene film is solar-powered and will be at 20km above the earth in our stratosphere (planes, mountains, clouds etc. are at about 10km) so they will not be affected by our weather system. The amazing technology will be managed on layers of wind making it possible to steer the balloons as the wind flow is consistent and predictable. No massive, expensive, heavy engines are needed and the Google team will easily steer the balloons from earth, letting it fall in designated drop zones to be picked up and reused (watch the YouTube video for more technical specifications on how the technology works).

What is Google hoping to achieve? First, the balloons will communicate both with each other, and the earth. An enormous "mesh" network will result, with the signal hopping from balloon to balloon over thousands of kilometres. The result will be a wi-fi network that offers across the globe internet connectivity at speeds similar to today’s 3G networks or faster. The IT giant - in existence since 1996 - is said to be valued at nearly $300-billion with over $10-billion in profit 2012 alone. Users are the obvious beneficiaries with Project Loon but who could potentially not see the positive side of the project? Telecommunication networks across the world, run extremely profitable operations at national/regional levels; international/national bureaucracy who may not agree to a unified framework; certain countries that may wish to charge for overflight rights for use of national airspace; and leadership of countries that restrict internet access will not be happy with unrestricted access 20km above the earth. The simple wonder of innovative technologies. Crazy ideas such as Project Loon have changed the world before, and might just do so again.