Floating a New Idea For Going Wireless: “ Jerry Knoblach wants to bring wireless service to millions of rural Americans. His plan: Beam it down from balloons hovering at the edge of space. The Wall Street Journal reports.

‘This isn’t just hot air. His company, Space Data Corp., already launches 10 balloons a day across the Southern U.S., providing specialized telecom services to truckers and oil companies. His balloons soar 20 miles into the stratosphere, each carrying a shoebox-size payload of electronics that acts like a mini cellphone ‘tower’ covering thousands of square miles below.

His idea has caught the eye of Google Inc., according to people familiar with the matter. The Internet giant — which is now pushing into wireless services — has considered contracting with Space Data or even buying the firm, according to one person.’

Related:

– Mobile phone airship to conquer stratosphere - A zeppelin will replace all of the terrestrial mobile phone antennas in Switzerland - if a Swiss inventor has his way.

– Internet access takes to the skies - For anyone old enough to remember, in 1998, a US company offered Internet access thanks to a zeppelin.

– Lofting Balloons for Cell Service - In North Dakota, former Gov. Ed Schafer is backing a plan to loft wireless network repeaters on balloons high above the state to fill gaps in cellular coverage.

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(Via textually.org.)