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Broadband Barrage Balloons
alnya writes "BBC Online are reporting a story of a York-based company called SkyLinc who are floating baloons connected to a fibre optic pole which, they say, can deliver broadband access at "more than double the speed of most broadband services currently available" - whatever that means. Only 18 balloons would be necessarily to blow BT out the water (according to the article). Is this on the horizon?"
in other news Steve Case is no longer the largest windbag in broadband.
Mike
Pellet gun.
Banaaaana!
Is this on the horizon?
No, it's overhead.
Biggest problem I see; these balloons are filled with helium, when they use a pipe to channel the voices thru these things, won't they come back sounding like that nervous duck? I dunno, IANAE (engineer)
Ahh, the upgrade to RFC 1149 is here at last.
I live in York, UK, and I believe the Accuracy International Artic Warfare (Super) Magnum sniper rifle in 7.62mm could bring one down.
Heh heh.
graspee
Mod me down for I am wrong! Apparently the AI arctic warfare in 7.62 has a max range of 800m, and even in larger cal can only go to 1100m. This is the "last 400m" problem in modern telecommunication sniping.
.50. Will update you when I find one that can go the full 1500m...
I am now looking into larger calibre rifles, like
graspee
Ah! The Accuracy International AW50, which uses massive .50 cal has a max effective range of 2000m!
I just thought that a British rifle should be used- it's more appropriate; support local industry and all that.
Apologies for splattering this forum with my gun geekiness- you may now mod me into oblivion and beyond.
graspee
[Obligatory Critic Reference] From "Red Balloon 2 -- The Balloon's REVENGE":
Terrorist: "One more step and the red balloon becomes the dead balloon."
[Scared kid releases baloon]
Terrorist: "How did I not see that coming..."
Sometimes I doubt your commitment to Sparkle Motion.
Yes, no need for high powered weapons when you apply the Black & Decker 4 1/2" Angle Grinder directly to the tether!!
Alright, alright, you do actually have to be inside the mooring compound to do it but if you are prepared to go running round the English countryside with large, high-powered rifles, this should be small-fry!
Ripping an new rectum in the fabric of spacetime.
Actually, the first sniper rifle would be more than adequate for just shooting the tether itself. That way all the hardware attached to the balloon disappears too. Otherwise they can just patch the balloon and send it up again.
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