Facebook, Inc.FB has made yet another move to advance its one-year old Internet.org program. The company recently announced that it intends to provide Internet access to over 4 billion people across the globe through its Aquila drones.
The solar-power drones will be connected by laser, and will beam Internet connection wirelessly to base stations in regions with poor Internet connectivity in countries like Nigeria and India. The drones will be circling the stratosphere layer of the atmosphere to provide uninterrupted connectivity even in unfavorable weather conditions.
The full-sized drone is as wide as a Boeing 737 (1,400 feet), but will weigh much less owing to the novel carbon-fiber material used for building the frame. Earlier the company had tested smaller prototypes of this drone. At present, Facebook is testing the full-sized prototype on ground, but plans to roll out a pilot project in the U.S. in 2016 most likely.
According to project head, Yael Maguire, this drone can remain in air for 90 days at a height of 60,000 feet to 90,000 feet. Once airborne, the drone can provide Internet covering an area of about 50 miles.
Additionally, the company is also developing an advanced laser networking technology to enable the drone to beam its Internet signals. Initial tests suggest the drone can offer data at a speed of 10 gigabits a second from a distance of 10 miles that is ten times faster than the existing technology.
Moreover, to the relief of Internet service providers (ISP), the company stated that it does not intend to become an ISP. Rather, the company is planning to tie up with existing providers for the deployment (through sale or licensing) of drones. Facebook plans to reach at least 10% of the population in remote areas through this initiative.
Facebook is not the only company to undertake such a project. Even Google Inc. GOOGL has been working on a similar project, Project Loon, with an aim to offer Internet access to people in remote regions. Google uses high-flying balloons instead of drones to beam Internet connectivity. In fact, yesterday, Google also declared that it has already formed an agreement with the Sri Lankan government to provide affordable, high-speed network access to the whole country.
Facebook also indicated that it is in talks with a few nations for the deployment of Aquila drones.
We believe that, this initiative, once it takes off, can prove to be a milestone for the company and significantly boost user growth. It will also strengthen its lead over peers like Twitter, Inc. TWTR, which is struggling to expand its user base.
Facebook has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). A better-ranked stock in the wider technology sector is Expedia Inc. EXPE, sporting a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy).
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report >>
Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
Be the first to comment