Alphabet X sells wireless internet tech to Andhra Pradesh

Alphabet X's research team announced that the Andhra Pradesh state government would buy its fully developed new technology, as reported by Reuters. The Free Space Optical Communications (FSOC) technology has potential to provide high-speed wireless internet to the rural areas of India. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Alphabet X plans to deploy the free space optical technology, which transmits data through light beams at up to 20 gigabits per second between the rooftop boxes. There would be enough bandwidth for thousands of people to browse the Web simultaneously through the same cell phone tower.

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.

Alphabet X, a division formerly known as Google X, first implemented FSOC technology within its Project Loon project. Launched in 2013, the project uses high-altitude balloons placed in the stratosphere at an altitude of roughly 18 kilometers to create a wireless network with 4G LTE speed.

Andhra Pradesh, a state with 53 million people has nearly 15 million high-speed internet subscribers and wants to connect an additional 12 million households by 2019. Alphabet said its X division will have a small team of engineers and experts based in Andhra Pradesh to support the new tech's implementation.