Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) is planning to use satellite, drone and other technology to achieve its ambitious and costly plans to spread the internet in underdeveloped parts of the world. On Thursday, the social networker announced that it has roped in aerospace and communications experts from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab and its Ames Research Center for its “Connectivity Lab” project.
In a post, Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said “Today, we’re sharing some details of the work Facebook’s Connectivity Lab is doing to build drones, satellites and lasers to deliver the internet to everyone.”
Extension of Facebook Inc’s internet.org project
Zuckerberg shared a few details, but gave no specific time frame for the launch of the service. The new plans are an extension of the company’s Internet.org effort, which is aimed at connecting billions of people not having an internet access in regions like Africa and Asia. The social networker has been collaborating with the telecommunications carriers to make the internet more accessible and affordable.
Zuckerberg said, “We’re going to continue building these partnerships, but connecting the whole world will require inventing new technology too.”
Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) is planning to come up with solar-powered drones and low-earth orbit and geosynchronous satellites which will facilitate internet access in different parts of the globe. The company aims to use the sky to extend its reach beyond its 1.2 billion members along with empowering society with the power of the internet.
Following Google’s footsteps
On Tuesday, Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) also revealed plans to acquire Oculus VR Inc, which develops virtual reality goggles.
It seems that the social networker is following the internet giant, which is working on a variety projects including self-driving cars and wearable computers. Last year, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) also announced plans to use solar-powered balloons to make internet accessible remote corners of the world.
The job openings mentioned on Facebook’s website on Thursday include roles like Antenna Systems Engineer and Electro-Optical Network Access Hardware Engineer. Facebook also said that it has hired a five member team from Ascenta, which is a British company, whose founders developed the initial version of the Zephyr, which the social networker claimed holds the record for the longest-flying solar-powered unmanned aircraft.
In after hours of trading, on Thursday, Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) shares were up 28 cents at $61.25.
