Google will spend over $1 billion creating hundreds of satellites to provide Internet access to Third World countries and any other regions of the globe without such connection.
The project will be led by Greg Wyler, the head of satellite startup of O3b, the Wall Street Journal reports.
Google has also hired engineers from satellite company Space Systems/Loral LLC to work on the venture, which is expected to cost anywhere from $1 to $3 billion.
The first phase will consist of 180 small satellites weighing just 250 pounds each. The second phase could see an additional 180 or more go up depending on the success of the first.
A Google spokeswoman told WSJ that the aim is to give hundreds of millions of people Internet access.
"Internet connectivity significantly improves people’s lives. Yet two thirds of the world have no access at all."
Not much is known other than the basic layout of the plan, which will be Google’s third project seeking to deliver Internet connection from the skies.
The tech giant is also designing balloons and solar-powered drones to provide broadband service to remote parts of the world, both of which will be much cheaper yet less effective than the satellites.
Experts say the drones and satellites will complement each other, as the drones will offer better service in smaller areas while the satellites will offer a wider range of less than high-capacity service in areas that aren’t as desperate.
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