Google India is currently discussing the launch of a program - which would provide Internet service to isolated areas of the country via several balloons - known as Project Loon with telecommunications providers. Despite concerns the government had with the program disrupting cellular transmissions last year, Google (now acting as Alphabet Incorporated) has secured support and is in talks with unknown telecommunications firms to test the scheme.
The chief of Google India and Southeast Asia, Rajan Anandan, said the idea behind the program is simple, but they need a telecom to provide the equipment. “To me, Loon works, but at a simplistic level, it is infrastructure in the sky. The government have been very supportive, we are working our way through it. In India, the important thing is to work through things.”
Anandan also said that the introduction of an Indian branch of the early-stage investment trust, Google Ventures is “only a matter of time”. The late-stage investment sister company, Google Capital, set up offices in India last year; however, he said they are only mentoring start-up companies at the moment. “The reality is that there are enough people writing cheques. We want to improve the quality of the founders and the products.”
He also said Google had begun to investigate the 6 percent 'equalization levy' recently placed upon large companies such as Google and Facebook. The tax could hinder international digital purchases and increase the price of advertising.
Source: Economic Times
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