ISP Wessex Internet Launches Fibre-to-the-Balloon Broadband

A lot of hot air could apparently do wonders for national broadband connectivity in the United Kingdom (more so than even existing political spin), at least that seems to be the aim with Wessex Internet’s “revolutionary new” Fibre-to-the-Balloon (FTTbn) broadband technology.

The technology utilises helium semi-transparent ‘Polar Foil’ Balloons to increase the coverage of Wessex Internet’s fixed-wireless Internet service. Apparently each Balloon will be tethered to the ground utilising a composite hybrid fibre optic + low voltage electric kevlar cable serving as the backhaul, power supply and tether to the ground.

Wessex Internet Statement

We also expect to provide temporary Internet for shows and festivals with our Portable Internet Globes (PIGs), a smaller version, which might be seen overhead at events this summer.

Each ‘Polar Foil’ Balloon will be fitted with lightweight antennas covering a 360o footprint up to 6km radius. The fibre link to the balloon will initially be configured with 1Gb of capacity, but could rise as needed. The Balloons also feature sensors for monitoring weather, pollution, and pollen counts as well as featuring a live camera on a ‘Flair Loop’ setting.

A Wessex Internet spokesperson said, “The beauty of using Polar Foil for these balloons means that they by-pass any need for planning consent because they are semi-transparent. They will be great for temporary installations or to provide coverage in some very rural areas we can’t reach at present. Fortunately most aircraft fly higher than the 500 feet, the maximum height of the balloon. We think we might have dozens installed by the end of 2016 and they will be great to accompany windmills on rural landscapes.”

Naturally today’s date should provide some indication for the validity of this news 🙂 . On the other hand broadband is actually being delivered via higher altitude balloons already (Google’s Project Loon), but this only works when the data communications are exchanged via a wireless solution due to the alternative issue of cable weight and its risk to air traffic.