Facebook has unveiled their latest project, the Connectivity Lab, a project filled with drones that will provide Internet access to the two thirds of the world's population without it.
"We've been working on ways to beam Internet to people from the sky," said CEO Mark Zuckerberg in a post, CNN reports.
According to a news release, Internet.org was created in a coalition between Facebook and other tech companies, including NASA, to provide online access for people worldwide. The goal is provide access to information for those who have none
"To make these platforms a reality we've recently added some of the world's top experts on aerospace technology including the team from Ascenta, a UK-based company with a deep expertise in designing and building high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) aircraft," Internent.org said in a news release.
"The five-member Ascenta team has combined more than 100 years of experience in the aerospace industry including leadership positions with QinetiQ, Boeing, Honeywell and the Harris Corporation," the release stated. "They have worked on noteworthy projects like the Breitling Orbiter and early versions of Zephyr, which became the world's longest flying solar-powered unmanned aircraft."
The Internet drones will be set up depending on the geography of the area.
"For suburban areas in limited geographical regions, we've been working on solar-powered high altitude, long endurance aircraft that can stay aloft for months, be quickly deployed and deliver reliable internet connections. For lower density areas, low-Earth orbit and geosynchronous satellites can beam internet access to the ground," Internet.org explained in the new release.
According to CNN, Internet.org's efforts will be responsible for giving more than 3 million people access online. However, many are unsure why Internet access is important considering many of the populations without it cannot afford to have clean water, let alone electrity. Conversely, having access online could mean humanitarian organizations can locate local hospitals and improve communication.
