Google Interested in Wireless Bandwidth Balloons

An anonymous reader writes "Google is reportedly looking into investing in or buying a company called Space Data, which provides wireless voice and data services to remote areas with a fleet of weather balloons fitted with transceivers." My mind is sorta tripping over how something like this could work, but I gotta admit that the idea is really cool.

Dear Google

[Archangel Michael]

I have a BB Gun.

Be sure not to paint 'em red

[KublaiKhan]

We all know what happens when 99 red balloons are floating in the summer sky.

If they're carrying data, well, so much the worse...

Re:Why?

[Anonymous Coward]

i have to admit it seems like the idea of a stoner... "dude... we're going to send people wireless internet from a balloon... "

Re:It's a Niche Business Model

[rootofevil]

cornering paranoid schizophrenics?

that doesnt sound like a good idea to me.

at least not if you want to live.

Re:Helium Shortage

[DrData99]

Just use hot air...

Re:Dear Google

[Anonymous Coward]

Sorta like shooting swamp rats back on Dagoba, yeah?

I was going to correct you but realized that being a pedantic Star Wars nerd is more embarrassing than being an inaccurate one.

Re:Dear Google

[trollboy]

This has been done before. When there wasn't enough coverage you got a verbal warning msg.
"Spawn more overlords"

I wonder what they'll call it?

[Kelbear]

Let me be the first to suggest:

"Skynet"

Re:Rural area

[Anonymous Coward]

I would have modded you up, but you misspelled pole.

Re:Dear Google

[Zerth]

Red Ryder, of course.

Re:The Internet as a Mesh Network

[zienth]

The internet is a series of balloons...

Zienth

To the US Government...

[Piranhaa]

At least if Google loses contact with the balloon, it's still in the earth's atmosphere and won't necessarily need missiles to shoot it down, but merely a sniper rifle would suffice