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Google has thrown its support and its rather sizeable wallet behind SpaceX’s plans to bring the world satellite-powered internet connectivity, according to reports on Monday.
Late last week, Elon Musk’s company revealed it planned to bring gigabit internet access to every person on earth by sending a hundreds of satellites 750 miles into orbit.
As ambitious as that plan sounds - even for Musk - things just got a little more real thanks to Google’s backing, The Information’s sources claim.
According to those familiar with the matter, Google is investing a “very large” sum of money in the venture.
"The purpose of a deal, which is still in the works, is to support the development of SpaceX satellites that could beam low-cost Internet around the globe to billions who don’t have it," the report claims.
Read more: Elon Musk's 5 craziest ideas for the future
The reported investment from Google would be no surprise given the firm has a long-standing interest in ensuring internet access comes to those in even the most remote and poorest areas of the world.
The company is already experimenting with its Project Loon initiative, which involves beaming internet access down to the ground using solar-powered, remote controlled balloons which travel around the earth in a constant loop on stratospheric winds.
Google is competing with Facebook in the space, with the social network planning to use drones to bring internet to all.