Google Inc. is continuing to work toward providing internet access to the two-thirds of the world’s population that’s currently offline. The search giant began testing internet-providing high altitude balloons in New Zealand last year. The program, known as Project Loon, will expand to Australia next month.

Google launched its Google X division in 2010, with the goal of bringing bold, “moonshot” ideas to market. Both the driverless Google Car and Google Glass came from Google X. Project Loon could very well be one of the X division’s most ambitious ventures to date. The helium filled balloons, which are close to forty feet tall and shaped like an ice cream cone, float in the atmosphere, about twice as high as passenger jets. They communicate with each other, in order to maintain coverage as atmospheric winds move them them around. Specialized internet antennas on the ground connect to the balloons, which in turn send the signal to other balloons, and to ground stations between balloons. This creates a mesh network of coverage that can blanket remote regions. Australia, known for its vast, remote areas, is the perfect testing ground for Google’s internet balloons.

Project Loon will be launching 20 balloons in Western Queensland, near the north coast of Australia, in December. Google is partnering with Telstra Corporation Limited, Australia’s largest telecommunications company, who will provide the base stations. A representative from Telstra spoke about the partnership, saying, “We are excited to be working with Google on Project Loon. The trial will allow us to jointly test the potential of this technology for the Australian environment. As part of Telstra’s contribution to the trial we have supplied access to suitable spectrum.” Between Google’s efforts with Project Loon, and Facebook’s Internet Drone project, the goal of having a fully connected world seems like it may soon be within reach.