Internet accessibility is still a major challenge in many areas of Uganda and Google’s Project Loon with the mission of providing Internet access to rural and remote areas has come to tackle this issue. Launched in 2013, Project Loon is a Research and Development project being developed by X (formerly Google X)The project uses high-altitude balloons placed in the stratosphere at an altitude of about 50,000 feet to create an aerial wireless network with up to 4G-LTE speeds.
The project has so far launched in over 19 countries. In East Africa, flights commenced in Kenya and Project Loon is exploring opportunities in Uganda.
This morning, a cross-section of stakeholders from the National Information Technology Authority, Civil Aviation Authority, Ministry of Defence & Veterinary Affairs, Ministry of Security and the EAC Civil Aviation & Security Oversight Agency met with Project Loon to discuss how internet access in hard to reach areas of Uganda can be enhanced.
The workshop received a Keynote address from Mrs. Ddambya, who represented the Minister of Information Communications Technology, and National Guidance, Uganda. Vivian underscored the centrality of technological development in supporting the
realization of rapid economic and social development for Uganda,
the EAC and generally for the African Continent. She noted that the Government of
Uganda has placed a high premium on internet access as an enabler for large areas
of the country to access government and other services that are provided by the
private sector. She highlighted some of the sectors whose expansion and reach will
be enhanced by the availability and access to internet including financial, health,
education, disaster management and recovery among other social economic
human endeavors.
On the available infrastructure and business environment in Uganda to support Loon
operations, Vivian shared that the National Backbone Infrastructure would be
available to be utilized and emphasized that the Government of Uganda supports
private sector and joint venture investments and had substantially developed policy,
institutional and infrastructure capacities as would be required to support Loon
operations.
balloon and consequently provides 4G network access
H.E Amb. Deborah Malac welcomed the entry of Project Loon into the Ugandan
market. ‘Bringing internet to rural areas in Uganda remains a big challenge. The
presence of Project Loon here today is an important step towards connecting remote
populations,’ she added.
