Movistar Argentina (Telefonica) announced successful tests of 4G technology using low-altitude balloons deployed in San Jose de Balcarce in the Buenos Aires province. The special balloons carry equipment similar to an LTE base station, with the same capacity, and can be quickly deployed in emergency situations by just three people, said the operator in a statement. The initial trials proved that the balloons can remain at a height of 40 meters for five days and need to be pumped up with helium on the third day.
Movistar added that it's the first operator in the country to have conducted trials of balloon-based mobile technology. It currently provides Argentina's most wide-ranging 4G coverage via more than 4,000 base stations serving some 5 million active LTE customers. Last month it installed the world’s highest 4G base station in Plaza de Mulas in Aconcagua Provincial Park at a height of 4,300 metres above sea level.
At the end of last year Google held a 98-day trial of its Project Loon technology in Peru, using special balloons deployed at a height of 20 kilometers in the Chimbote area.
