Google’s Project Loon is experimenting with helium-filled balloons to deliver Internet service to underserved parts of the world.
Internet.org, members include Facebook, Ericsson, MediaTek, Nokia, Opera, Qualcomm, Samsung and others, wants to make Internet access more affordable for underserved populations by lowering the cost of cloud computing and developing lower-cost, higher-quality smartphones.
These are, of course, worthy ambitions. In January, The Economist published an article “The new politics of the internet — Everything is connected” in which it cites a study of consumers in 13 countries conducted by the Boston Consulting Group. According to the article, on average, 75% of consumers would give up alcohol, 27% sex and 22% daily showers to secure internet access for a year if forced to choose (see chart). Obviously, Brin, Page and Zuckerberg, are on to something big….
