Media Contact: 
Tina Pelkey, (202) 418-0536
tina.pelkey@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC GRANTS EXPERIMENTAL LICENSE FOR PROJECT LOON 
TO OPERATE IN PUERTO RICO
WASHINGTON, October 7, 2017—The FCC has granted an experimental license for Project 
Loon, led by Google's parent company Alphabet, to help provide emergency cellular service in 
Puerto Rico. 
“More than two weeks after Hurricane Maria struck, millions of Puerto Ricans are still without 
access to much-needed communications services,” said Chairman Pai.  “That’s why we need to 
take innovative approaches to help restore connectivity on the island.  Project Loon is one such 
approach.  It could help provide the people of Puerto Rico with access to cellular service to 
connect with loved ones and access life-saving information.  I’m glad the FCC was able to grant 
this experimental license with dispatch and I urge wireless carriers to cooperate with Project Loon 
to maximize this effort’s chances of success.”
Project Loon is a network of balloons that provides connectivity to users on the ground.  Now that 
the experimental license has been approved, it will attempt to initiate service in Puerto Rico.  
Project Loon obtained consent agreements to use land mobile radio (LMR) radio spectrum in the 
900 MHz band from existing carriers operating within Puerto Rico. 
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This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes 
official action.  See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).