After spending millions of dollars on its recent acquisition of WhatsApp, Facebook is reportedly planning another major investment: drone manufacturer Titan Aerospace.
According to CNBC, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg initiated the launch of of Internet.org that will use Titan Aerospace’s vehicles to spread internet access across the globe, particularly to developing countries.
Titan Aerospace is currently based in New Mexico, and its drones are capable of staying up in the air for five years at a time powered by solar energy. In addition, one Titan Aersopace drone can create voice and data network with “the reach of over one hundred terrestrial cell towers.” Reports also say that Facebook is planning to deploy the first batch of drones in the African regions.
As many of you may recall, Google announced last year “Project Loon” which has almost the same goal as Facebook’s acquisition of Titan Aerospace; bringing internet access to rural areas worldwide.