by
Mark Ollig
It
might come as a surprise to learn nearly two-thirds of the world’s population
is still unable to access the Internet.
Various
methods of providing Internet access to those living in economically
challenged, or isolated parts of our planet, have been proposed and tested.
Educational
researcher Dr. Sugata Mitra, working in New Deli, India, wanted to help the
poorer neighborhood children who had no access to computers; let alone the
Internet.
The
children lived in the shantytown next to where he worked.
Dr.
Mitra devised a way to do it.
He
cut a hole the size of a small window in the wall dividing his office location
from this poorer neighborhood.
Dr.
Mitra then attached a shelf in this opening in the wall, and placed a personal
computer on it; along with a screen, keyboard, and a mouse.
The
computer was then connected to the Internet.
The
children appeared very curious, when they first approached Dr. Mitra’s
“Hole-in-the-Wall” computer arrangement.
According
to Dr. Mitra, most of them had never seen a working computer.
Without
any prior computer knowledge, the children were able to learn on their own, how
to use the computer.
They
figured out how to access the Internet via the computer’s web browser.
The
children taught themselves how to play online games, and even learned computer programming.
By
accessing educational websites on the Internet, they were able to better
themselves through online learning.
Dr.
Mitra successfully began more of these “Hole-in-the-Wall” computer arrangements
in other locations.
In
2013, Google began testing high-altitude balloons outfitted with Wi-Fi radio
transmitters for providing Internet access in New Zealand.
Google’s
“Project Loon” would consist of a “network of balloons traveling on the edge of
space.”
These
balloons would connect the Internet to people living in rural and remote areas
of the globe.
Google’s
Internet-providing balloon network would also serve during times of disaster;
when regular Internet service becomes disrupted.
“Balloon-Powered
Internet for Everyone,” says Google’s Project Loon webpage:
http://www.google.com/loon.
And
now; ladies and gentlemen: It’s time to send in the drones.
“I’m
excited to announce we’ve completed construction of our first full-scale
aircraft,” Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg recently announced on his Facebook
page.
Yes,
indeed, the fine folks at Facebook have constructed their own remotely-piloted
aircraft, or drone, and plan on using it to extend the reach and availability
of the Internet to those living in remote areas around the world.
And
we’re not talking your typical miniature hobby quadcopter buzzing above your
backyard like an annoying bee.
This
solar-powered, V-shaped drone named “Aquila” is huge.
The
Aquila drone has a wingspan of 140 feet (equivalent to a Boeing 737), and will
be using a high-tech package which includes a combination of radios and lasers.
It
weighs around 1,000 pounds, and is made of cured 88-gram T700 carbon fiber,
which is three times stronger than steel, and yet lighter than aluminum.
The
Aquila has four propellers; two on each wing.
The
new data/Internet transmission laser Aquila will use is so precise and
calibrated, that it could connect with a location the size of a dime from more
than 10 miles away.
The
lasers will be transmitting high-speed Internet signals at 10Gbps.
The
Aquila will fly in a circular pattern above conventional air traffic at an
altitude of 90,000 feet during the day, and 60,000 feet at night.
The
plan calls for an Internet gateway ground station to transmit an Internet radio
signal to a “mother” aircraft (drone) which, in turn, will relay this signal,
via a laser beam, to the cluster of other drones flying in the area.
Each
of these airborne, circling drones will then deliver to the smartdevices and
computers on the ground, a direct wireless radio signal for accessing the
Internet.
The
ground coverage provided by each airborne drone will be some 31 square miles.
The
aircraft is designed to remain in flight for three months, and then glide back
to Earth to be refurbished and flown again.
To
me, this sounds promising, and Facebook has the financial and technical
resources to see it through.
Zuckerberg
said Facebook will be testing Aquila’s systems in the coming months.
You
can view his Facebook message here: http://tinyurl.com/bytesz1.
Facebook’s
official developers channel on YouTube shows a video explaining their plan at:
http://tinyurl.com/bytesz3.
Will
large, high-flying drones be providing Internet access to various regions
around the world?
Stay
tuned to this column for further updates.
Image: Screenshot from Facebook
YouTube channel video.