“Project Loon” uses roaming balloons to broadcast Web coverage and intended to join Sri Lanka’s 21 million people to the internet even those in remote connectivity black areas.

But only annually after testing started in Sri Lanka regulators have not been able to allocate Google a radio frequency for the endeavor that was airborne without violating international regulations.

“It comes down to a legal problem,” Fernando told reporters in Colombo.

“The authorities in addition to Google are lobbying the ITU, but if we neglect there is a threat Google will go to some other state that isn’t bound with these rules.”

Google’s giant helium-filled balloons act as floating cellular base stations, broadcasting high speed Internet to places past the range of earth-based telecommunication towers.

The very first of three balloons – which roam through the stratosphere at the elevation of commercial aircraft – entered after being going airborne in South America.

Google and the authorities intended a joint venture for sharing its mobile spectrum together with the job, where Colombo would receive a 25 percent position, with no capital investment.

Among the balloons was discovered in a Sri Lankan tea plantation after its maiden test flight this past year, although it was described by authorities as a restricted touchdown.

About one third of Sri Lankans have routine access to the Web, a figure expected to swell through the Loon job.