Facebook to launch its own constellation of drones to deliver free internet

After Google's ambitious high-altitude balloons project to deliver internet to the masses, Facebook has also joined the race for Airborne internet. As per Techcrunch Facebook is trying to buy drone maker Titan Aerospace, whose drones are capable of creating high-altitude wireless hot spots. These drones can circle in the stratosphere for years without the need for refueling and can deliver internet to the masses.

This $60 million acquisition by Facebook is going to be a part of the Mark Zuckerberg’s internet.org , whose main objective is to bring the net to those parts of the globe that are still offline. This acquisition will literally give wings to Zuck's dream of a fully connected world. 

This project of Facebook is going to be a direct competitor of Google's Project Loon, whose main objective is also to bring free internet to the parts of the globe that are offline.

Although Zuckerberg is describing this project as a purely philanthropic effort, we understand that Facebook is also aiming for long term business gains.It is no secret that Facebook is targeting "the next billion" as Carolyn Everson, vice president of global marketing solutions, deems customers in developing countries. It is hoping that with the free internet and affordable smartphones, the underdeveloped areas will eventually join the knowledge economy and achieves more buying power. Moreover having the first experience of internet via Facebook, the people from these areas will be loyal users of Facebook for years.

Moreover with constant pressure from newly empowered ISP's to set up internet roadblocks as net neutrality protections disappear, both Google and Facebook are trying new ways to deliver more affordable internet to the masses. Also these air based internet is supposed to be free of Government censorship and snooping, as the Snowden revelations have created a huge dent to the credibility of these internet giants.

Both Google and Facebook understands that sky based internet is much more efficient, in the logistical standpoint. While the fiber connectivity takes a hell lot of time for digging and trenching, it is much more easier to send a couple of drones in the air and bring a considerable area online in the shortest span of time. So both Larry and Mark is eyeing the air to gain as much user as possible and generate more ad revenue in the process.

image courtesy Titan Aerospace