Google is preparing to conduct test flights of its solar-powered internet drones in the next few months.

The internet giant is working on Project Titan programme, which aims to provide internet services to four billion people in rural and remote areas who have no internet access.

Speaking at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, Google senior vice-president Sundar Pichai said the lightweight drones will hover over certain areas, and serve as remote satellites to provide web connectivity.

While Project Titan is designed to focus on specific, narrower areas, Google’s Project Loon covers greater regions using balloons, which will act as floating cell towers.

"Google is working on Project Titan programme, which aims to provide internet services to four billion people in rural and remote areas who have no internet access."

Google has been seeking to strengthen its capabilities in the aerospace segment, and leverage the expertise to expand web access to isolated parts of the world.

In line with these plans, the company acquired Skybox Imaging and Titan Aerospace in 2014.

Titan Aerospace is working on solar-powered internet drones, which can fly at an altitude of 65,000ft for up to five years, and offer data speeds of up to one gigabit a second.

Google is also working on Project Wing to develop drones that could be used for goods deliveries.

Earlier this year, the company participated in SpaceX’s $1bn financing round and acquired a stake of less than 10% with Fidelity Investments.