I ran across this article about Google's planned experiment in Australia to provide Internet service via high altitude balloons. It immediately reminded me of a thread I started back in 2006 (blast from the past).

Back then, the experiment was to provide voice service, and this new experiment is to provide Internet service via a "4G-like" signal.

It appears that one major difference is the role of the jet stream. That old experiment used very high altitude balloons that slowly rose higher and higher as they slowly drifted westward at about 30 mph until they eventually burst from their own internal pressure. This new experiment seems to use balloons that will stabilize at a height that will utilize the jet stream (perhaps the subtropical jet stream) to encircle the Earth long term.

Seems like Google needs to first work out a few issues before this becomes a viable reality

A sheep farmer in South Africa's vast Karoo desert has discovered a crashed balloon believed to form part of Google's plan to extend 4G internet around the globe.
Urbanus Botha initially thought the massive polyethylene plastic structure was a weather balloon and phoned the local forecasting authority but could not get through.
The self-confessed computer-phobe had then resolved to use the material as a tarpaulin when he painted his barn. But his daughter Sarita, 20, examined the parts and the solar panel and sent some pictures to her older brothers Johan and Bennie, who spotted "Google [X]" on it.

When I read that, I can't help but think of that classic South African movie, The Gods Must Be Crazy, where the primitive African tribesman finds a Coke bottle tossed from a passing plane and thinks it's a gift from the gods.

Loved that movie!