Google Will Spend $1 Billion on Satellites to Expand Internet Acces

Google's Internet satellite ambitions may be bigger than we thought.

The search giant is planning to spend more than $1 billion and perhaps much as $3 billion on satellites that expand Internet access to more remote parts of the world, according to a new report in The Wall Street Journal.

While specifics of Google's plan remain limited, The Journal reports that Google has a dedicated satellite team of 10 to 20 people and plans to kick off its endeavor by launching 180 low-altitude satellites.

Google did not immediately respond to our request for comment.

The company introduced Project Loon last year, which aims to bring Internet access to more difficult terrain through balloons. Google also acquired Titan Aerospace in April, which develops drones that could help with the Internet access and is rumored to be nearing an acquisition of Skybox Imaging, which provides high-resolution satellite imagery.

Facebook has also expressed interest in using drones and satellites to expand Internet access and was said to be looking to buy Titan Aerospace before Google snatched it up.