While Google is looking to provide Internet access through Project Loon, a global network of high-altitude balloons aimed at connecting people in rural and remote areas, Facebook is in talks with drone maker Titan Aerospace, according to a report from TechCrunch. By working with Titan, Facebook would be able to use drones to provide widespread Internet access in developing nations.
Neither Facebook nor Titan Aerospace has publicly confirmed these reports, but FacebookEUs interest in this type of Internet expansion is well documented. Since 2013, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has led the Internet.org initiative that aims to EUbring the Internet to the two-thirds of the worldEUs population that doesn't have it.EU
During Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Zuckerberg explained why it is important for developing countries to have reliable Internet access. In a blog post from 2013, Zuckerberg said that EUthere are huge barriers in developing countries to connecting and joining the knowledge economy,EU but through Internet.org, Facebook and other companies will be able to make the Internet EUavailable to those who cannot currently afford it."
Despite the massive partnership between Facebook, Qualcomm, Nokia, Samsung, and others, there has yet to be a public plan regarding how Internet.org will actually provide people with Internet access. However, the drones provided by Titan Aerospace could be turned into efficient Internet service providers.
While there are benefits to the company that actually provides Internet access, the main reason that Facebook and Google are working toward connecting billions of people is that those members of society will then use Internet services once...