Facebook exec: Countries ‘really clamoring’ to host internet drone demo

A Facebook executive says that countries were “really clamoring” to host the first demo of a drone that will beam internet service down to areas that lack connectivity.

“Some of the countries that are really clamoring to host this first demo have huge regions where there is zero or very poor internet connectivity,” said Martin Gomez on Monday, who helps to lead aeronautic work for the company, according to The Wall Street Journal.

{mosads}Gomez also said, according to the report, that companies that want to fly drones across borders “have a colossal regulatory burden ahead of us.”

The company’s drone project, Aquila, had its first test flight in July. Gomez and colleague Andy Cox said at the time that the test “provided our aeronautics team with data on numerous aspects of Aquila’s performance, including the autopilot, motors, batteries, radios, ground station, displays, basic aerodynamic handling, structural viability, and crew training.”

The drone will ultimately be solar-powered and, the company hopes, will one day be able to stay in flight for as long as 90 days.

Facebook has made connecting more people to the internet a core priority as it looks to expand its user base worldwide. Connectivity issues join artificial intelligence and virtual reality in the firm’s much-publicized 10-year roadmap.

Its connectivity projects also include the controversial Internet.org Free Basics program, which partners with local wireless providers in developing countries to provide free data when customers use certain services. That has drawn criticism as an example of “zero-rating,” which opponents say violates the idea of net neutrality.