Facebook To Provide Internet Access Through Solar Powered Drone

Facebook has been working on an unmanned aerial flying vehicle that aims to beam internet access to people across the globe. Named 'Aquila,' the drone has already passed an initial test in UK.

The drone will run through solar energy which will be facilitated by solar panels equipped on its wing-span. Facebook said, to accommodate the solar panels the wing-span of the drone will equal that of a Boeing 737.

Facebook figures that about 1,000 of these high fliers should suffice in blanketing the Earth with high-speed connectivity.

"We want to serve every person in the world" with high-speed Internet signals, said Yael Maguire, head of Facebook's Connectivity Lab.

Initial test flights are scheduled for this summer but it could take years (may be decades) before it becomes a real thing.

Facebook's unmanned drones face competition from Google's Project Loon which uses high-altitude weather balloons to provide Internet access.

"Can we reach a point where everyone on the planet gets the same message at once?" Mr. Maguire said. "I'm looking forward to that day."