The long awaited wish of Mark Zuckerberg to provide the internet to everyone might soon become a reality. Facebook has come out with the results of its tests, which have been done in order to connect the even the remotest area on earth via the internet. It has also shown how the latest technology can help people in times of natural disasters.
According to CNN, Facebook has created a technology dubbed the "Tether-tenna", which is actually a miniature sized helicopter connected to an internet cable and a power source. It has been created by the developers in order to help people in times of natural disaster when it is next to impossible to find the internet and get connected to people.
Reportedly, this piece of technology will connect to a piece of fiber line and fly above the ground, acting as a tower which the disaster-stricken people can use for connecting online. This technology is still far from being deployed, as developments are being made to it. However, the Facebook authority has said that the technology can be used for a few months at a stretch until a community under the spell of disaster rebuilds itself.
According to The Verge, it is not still clear whether the developers at Facebook will go with building their own fleet of helicopters, or they will work with telecom partners to build the helicopters. The vehicle prototype is of the size of a Volkswagen Beetle, as per the experts. The developers are looking to make the "Tether-tenna" capable of working for a long time.
Facebook authorities have confirmed the fact that the vehicle is being used for continuous 24-hour operations at present. However, issues like persisting with high-velocity winds, which is very common in disaster-stricken areas, along with lightning bolts, are yet to be resolved to make the "Tether-tenna" a full proof equipment.
"Tether-tenna" is regarded as one of the strategies that Facebook are opting for to ensure the provision of perpetual internet around the globe. However, certain safety issues related to the vehicle, like it being run off a high voltage cable, are to resolved by the developers before applying it on a full-fledged mission.
