Alphabet and Facebook have both registered new drone designs with the US Federal Aviation Administration to create an unmanned aircraft that will be able to provide broadband Internet access from high above the earth. If these go ahead, the drones should potentially be able to provide city-sized areas with high-speed Internet access, especially in underdeveloped parts of the world. The FAA has already granted approval for Alphabet’s Project Wing drone, which is designed to deliver internet connectivity using a high-altitude balloon. “We’re working on ways to use drones and satellites to connect the billion people who don’t live in range of existing wireless networks,” said Facebook’s CEO, Mark Zuckerberg, in July. Facebook has been particularly keen to provide Internet access in developing countries as can be seen with their Internet.org initiative.
Alphabet and Facebook have both registered new drone designs with the US Federal Aviation Administration to create an unmanned aircraft that will be able to provide broadband Internet access from high above the earth. If these go ahead, the drones should potentially be able to provide city-sized areas with high-speed Internet access, especially in underdeveloped parts of the world. The FAA has already granted approval for Alphabet’s Project Wing drone, which is designed to deliver internet connectivity using a high-altitude balloon. Facebook has been particularly keen to provide Internet access in developing countries as can be seen with their Internet.org initiative.