Facebook has ambitious plans to connect the two-thirds of the world that has no net access, using drones, satellites and lasers. The move was announced on the social media platform by founder Mark Zuckerberg. It will put it in direct competition with Google, which is planning to deliver net access via balloons.
Both of the net giants want to extend their audiences, especially in the developing world. Details about Facebook’s plan were scant but it will include a fleet of solar-powered drones as well as low-earth orbit and geosynchronous satellites. Invisible, infrared laser beams could also be used to boost the speed of the net connections.
Last year Facebook and other technology companies launched internet.org to help bring net access to the huge swathes of the globe that are still not connected.
The social network has already teamed up with telecoms operators in the Philippines and Paraguay to double the number of people using the internet in that region.
"We’re going to continue building these partnerships, but connecting the whole world will require inventing new technology too," Mr Zuckerberg said in his post.
To bring the project to fruition, Facebook has set up a Connectivity Lab that will include experts in aerospace and communication technology, from Nasa’s jet propulsion lab and its Ames research centre.