Phone services have taken on a completely new meaning as a new solution to poor mobile phone network coverage is being trialled in the US. Space balloon transmitters have been launched into the atmosphere to provide network coverage to rural areas – something which has received attention from the likes of Google, who have begun to show interest in wireless services.

Transmitters which provide the same coverage as 40 mobile phone towers are attached to hydrogen balloons and released 20 miles into the stratosphere, with each balloon having a life cycle of approximately a day.

The system relies on the cooperation of local residents such as farmers to release the balloons at certain times and places. Once the transmitters become separated from the balloons, the transmitters fall to the ground by parachute, and are then collected by volunteers using GPS systems and returned for a $100 reward.