Alphabet Inc’s X research division said that the state government of Andhra Pradesh in India will buy its newly developed technology that has the potential to provide high-speed wireless internet to millions of people without laying cable.
Andhra Pradesh currently has a population of 53 million people, of which only 15 million have access to the internet, and its government wants to connect an additional 12 million households by 2019. This partnership will also boost the state’s digital infrastructure and help overcome hindrances in terms of connecting isolated and difficult terrain, forest areas, river crossings, and railway crossings.
Baris Erkmen, who is leading the effort inside X, said his team is “piloting a new approach” to overcome the challenges, but he did not specify the software and hardware advancements. X plans to set up a local office with the help of the Government of Andhra Pradesh in order to provide real time support to the project.
