Alphabet the parent company of Google has shut down the Google Loon project over commercial viability reasons.
The project was unveiled in Kenya last year July by President Uhuru Kenyatta in a bid to improve internet connection.
The announcement was made on Friday by tech expert Astro Teller who is in charge of the project. The Kenyan project was carried out in partnership with the Ministry of ICT and Telkom Kenya.
President Kenyatta had taken a special interest in the project and was hopeful that the new development would enable Kenya to retain her competitive advantages in ICT and innovation.
“The project, which is the first commercial deployment of the Loon technology in the world, is being rolled out by Telkom Kenya in partnership with Google parent firm Alphabet,” State House announced during the launch.
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The loons are high-altitude stratospheric balloons that provide internet access by creating an aerial wireless network, registering speeds of up to 1 Mbps.
In the statement, Google noted that the Loons will be removed gradually.
"A small group of the Google Loon team will stay to ensure Loon’s operations are wrapped up smoothly and safely - this includes winding down Loon’s pilot service in Kenya," Teller announced.
The Google representative thanked Kenya for providing the opportunity to offer its innovation and internet connectivity through the project.
“Although Loon is going away, our commitment to connectivity isn’t. Today we’re pledging a fund of Ksh1 billion to support nonprofits and businesses focussed on connectivity, internet, entrepreneurship, and education in Kenya,” he added.
