What's next on Mark Zuckerberg's agenda for Facebook? To ensure that everyone on the planet has internet access in the next few decades. Facebook will do this by launching solar-powered drones that will provide internet access to those who are currently completely off the grid. The initiative will inevitably run into various operational and regulatory issues before it is able to successfully launch. For instance, in order to fly drones for days and months at a time the drones will have to fly above 60,000 feet in the air, an altitude that currently has no regulation behind it. Moreover, current regulations enforce one man per drone, which would severely limit the scope under which Facebook's drones could operate.
Hurdles aside, the outcome, if successful, could truly be revolutionary. The company has already identified 21 locations in Africa, Latin America and Asia and expects to begin testing the drones as early as next year. It is also actively seeking partnerships with local governments and businesses that will help deploy the necessary technology. Moreover, Google has also expressed interest in drone technology to expand access to internet, having already acquired the start up Titan Aerospace which makes its own solar-powered drones. The idea of a world in which virtually every person is connected through the internet is a pretty big and exciting idea. Leave it to Facebook and Google to lead the way.
Source: http://www.wired.com/2014/09/facebook-drones-2/
http://www.digitaltrends.com/social-media/facebook-to-start-testing-wi-fi-drones-next-year/
Hurdles aside, the outcome, if successful, could truly be revolutionary. The company has already identified 21 locations in Africa, Latin America and Asia and expects to begin testing the drones as early as next year. It is also actively seeking partnerships with local governments and businesses that will help deploy the necessary technology. Moreover, Google has also expressed interest in drone technology to expand access to internet, having already acquired the start up Titan Aerospace which makes its own solar-powered drones. The idea of a world in which virtually every person is connected through the internet is a pretty big and exciting idea. Leave it to Facebook and Google to lead the way.
Source: http://www.wired.com/2014/09/facebook-drones-2/
http://www.digitaltrends.com/social-media/facebook-to-start-testing-wi-fi-drones-next-year/
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