Floating a New Idea for Going Wireless, Parachute Included
By Amol Sharma
CHANDLER, Ariz. – 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.
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.
(The Wall Street Journal, February 20, 2008.)
A tradução mais apropriada para hot air, no texto, é
