Zuckerberg's new set of tools: See what Facebook will build at its new super lab in the next 10yrs

Yes, Facebook is in the satellite industry as well. Facebook has always looked at a multi-platform strategy for connecting the world and it includes satellites too. Facebook has joined forces with satellite fleet operator Eutelsat of Paris to lease, the Ka-band payload on Israel-based Spacecom’s Amos-6 satellite. The two companies are looking to provide broadband connectivity to 14 African nations.

Image Source: Eutelsat

Facebook has designed a drone called Aquila that uses lasers to beam down internet access to remote areas with no access to the internet. Aquila can fly non-stop for three months while consuming just about 5,000watts which is same as a powerful microwave. Facebook is working on speed and strength of Aquila so it can eventually fly above 60,000feet and provide the internet to 4 billion people in sub-Saharan Africa and other remote regions that do not have access currently. Facebook has already tested Aquila and is ready to build the drone in the new lab with its team of engineers who have previously worked at organisations such as NASA and Royal Air Force.

Image Source: Facebook

Facebook purchased Oculus VR in July 2014 for approximately $2 billion. The social media giant expects to ship 600,000 units of the virtual reality headset by the end of this year, according to Cantor Fitzgerald. That number is expected to more than triple to approximately 2 million devices, which would generate more than $1.6 billion in revenue for Facebook. Zuckerberg understands the strength of advanced and immersive content market which is why the lab will help in closing the gap between research and engineering.

Image Source: Facebook

Facebook announced the Telecom Infrastructure Project (TIP) in February this year where operators, infrastructure providers, system integrators, and other technology companies will collaborate on overall development of new technologies to build and deploy telecom network infrastructure including 5G that will pave the way for better connectivity and richer services in future. The TIP has many members including HCL, Intel, Nokia who along with Facebook will work on designs in three areas — access, backhaul, and core and management.

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