Loon, or as popularly known Project Loon is finally official in Kenya.
Telkom Kenya and Alphabet started testing Project Loon more nearly two years ago.
The project, which uses high-flying balloons to beam 4G signals to underserved and remote areas where ordinary telco infrastructure cannot be set up, has been tested over an extended period, and we have a great coverage about its developments, including a nod from the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA).
Telkom said that it planned to serve identified parts in Rift Valley and Central Kenya, but from what we have been seeing, the balloons are flying select parts of the larger Eastern Kenya.
Telkom says the following areas will be in priority: Iten, Eldoret, Baringo, Nakuru, Kakamega, Kisumu, Kisii, Bomet, Kericho, and Narok.
Back in March, the Loon received a shot in the arm after a directive from President Kenyatta saw the Project receive all certifications, including one from the Kenya Civil Aviation Authority (KCAA).
Afterward, Loon was supplemented with a bunch of balloons as it continued to perform more tests.
The balloons can offer service to an area spanning 50000 square kilometers. As said, these are areas that are not served by traditional masts due to geographical challenges.
At the moment, Loon says it has deployed 35 balloons that are working together to serve identified regions.
In addition, it has been reported that more than 35000 people have since been connected to the internet via the balloons without them knowing they are using the service.
Lastly, Loon’s 4G speeds are reportedly hitting 19 Mbps or thereabouts (down), and about 5 Mbps Up.
