[link to planefinder.net (secure)]

[link to x.company (secure)]
(formerly Google X before Google split up into two companies)

[link to en.wikipedia.org (secure)]

The balloons use patch antennas - which are directional antennas - to transmit signals to ground stations or LTE users. Some smartphones with Google SIM cards can use Google Internet services. The whole infrastructure is based on LTE; the eNodeB component (the equivalent of the "base station" that talks directly to handsets) is carried in the balloon.

The system aims to improve communication during natural disasters to affected regions.