Facebook Aquila drone is able to beam internet access across the world
Facebook users will soon be able to update their status wherever they are in the world thanks to a new launch.
The social media giant is planning to boost your internet access by beaming an online network across the world via a fleet of drones.
The company has revealed it has completed the successful first flight of its solar powered Aquila drones, which it hopes can bring internet connectivity to billions of people around the world. The drone touched down in the Yuma desert in Arizona after a 90-minute flight, the longest such test to date, and a major milestone for Facebook's efforts.
It says that four billion people around the world – around 60 per cent of the total population – are without internet access, meaning they miss out on online benefits including education and healthcare.
Aquila can fly at heights of more than 60,000 feet
This includes around 1.6 billion people who live in extremely remote areas without even any access to mobile networks, and where even installing internet access is a major challenge.
Developed in the UK by Somerset-based firm Ascenta, the Aquila drone is the size of a Boeing 737 airplane, but despite this is able to fly at altitudes of 60,000 feet or more.
Facebook acquired Ascenta in 2014 for around £125 million as it looked to expand its flight capabilities and spread internet access throughout the world.
Aquila is able to fly for three months at a time, and thanks to its glider-esque design will only consumer as much electricity as three hair dryers, or a high-end microwave, during this time.
Facebook is now aiming to continue its testing with more research into how to extend Aquila’s flight time.
This will require the company to break the world record for solar-powered unmanned flight, which currently stands at two weeks, showing the scale of the task at hand.
Aquila is aiming to fly for three months at a time
The launch comes months after Facebook initially revealed plans for worldwide internet connectivity through its internet.org initiative.
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has backed the project, which has so far looked to launch in Africa, Asia and South America, where selected services – including Wikipedia, BBC News, Facebook and some local news providers – were made available via the scheme's app without any data charge applying.
But Internet.org has come under fire from digital rights groups in countries including Uganda, Ecuador and Indonesia over net-neutrality concerns, as they fear it prioritises some services over others.
