Facebook plans to deliver internet from space by 2016

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Tuesday 06 Oct 2015 - 13:15 Makkah mean time-23-12-1436 Mark Zuckerberg says he hopes the satellite will be operational by the second half of 2016. Image from Facebook. New York, (IINA) - Facebook is to launch a satellite that will provide internet access to remote parts of Africa, the social network's founder Mark Zuckerberg has announced, according to media reports. In a post on the social network, Zuckerberg said he hoped the move would connect "millions" to the internet. The satellite, due to launch next year, is currently being built under a partnership with French firm Eutelsat. It would allow mobile users to download an app containing free data access to selected services, including Facebook. "We're going to keep working to connect the entire world -- even if that means looking beyond our planet," Zuckerberg said in a Facebook post. The decision underlines the scale of the billionaire's ambition to boost connectivity in emerging internet markets but the scheme has been met with opposition in many countries such as Uganda, India and Indonesia. "The AMOS-6 satellite is under construction now and will launch in 2016 into a geostationary orbit that will cover large parts of West, East and Southern Africa. "We're going to work with local partners across these regions to help communities begin accessing internet services provided through satellite." The project has previously been testing other means of delivery, including solar-powered drones. "Over the last year Facebook has been exploring ways to use aircraft and satellites to beam internet access down into communities from the sky," Zuckerberg wrote. In a statement, Eutelsat said users on the ground would be able to use "off the shelf" products to access the service when it launches in the second half of 2016. The social network's founder says a satellite will soon deliver connectivity to millions despite competition concerns. SM/IINA