Google is planning to spend more than $1 billion to bring Internet access to under served parts of the world using a fleet of low-Earth satellites, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Details are sketchy, but sources close to the project told WSJ that the venture will start with 180 small, high-capacity satellites orbiting the earth at lower altitudes than traditional satellites, and then could expand from there.

According to the report, the satellite venture is led by Greg Wyler, founder of satellite-communications startup O3b Networks Ltd. The Journal’s sources additionally noted that Google has been hiring engineers from satellite company Space Systems/Loral LLC to work on the project.

The search engine giant is remaining tight-lipped about the project for now, but the company is suggesting its motives are altruistic.

“Internet connectivity significantly improves people’s lives. Yet two thirds of the world have no access at all,” a Google spokeswoman told WSJ, while refusing to comment further.

It goes without saying that Google also has some financial incentives for providing Internet access to the far-flung reaches of the globe, whether it is by satellite or by the drone and balloon projects Google has already acknowledged it is working on.

“If at least one of the methods — balloon, drone, or satellite — can successfully offer high-speed internet to underserved parts of the world, then Google will also be in a position to offer its products and services to vast new markets,” wrote Rich McCormick in the Verge.

In other words, $1 billion invested now could mean tens of billion down the road.