Google's Project Loon to provide internet access across Sri Lanka

The island nation of Sri Lanka has entered into an agreement with Google to provide country-wide Internet access using the latter's Project Loon. This would make Sri Lanka the first country to have universal Internet access through the search giant's project, which aims to provide Internet connectivity using helium-filled balloons.

"The entire Sri Lankan island - every village from (southern) Dondra to (northern) Point Pedro - will be covered with affordable high speed Internet using Google Loon's balloon technology," said the Asian country's foreign minister Mangala Samaraweera.

The plan is to provide local service providers access to the balloons, effectively improving the quality of their service and reducing their operational costs. The service is expected to launch by March next year.

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