Facebook sources have confirmed that there are plans afoot to begin testing of “internet drones” as early as next year. Flying at an altitude of anywhere between 60,000 to 90,000 feet, these unmanned devices would soar above all weather and all air traffic and beam down internet access pretty much anywhere in the world.
There are many regulations yet to overcome, Facebook sources said, in particular some legislations requiring that one human operator is assigned to every flying drone. The company has identified certain locations in Latin America, Asia, and Africa where testing may be carried in the near future.
The drone program is part of Facebook’s plan to bring internet access to the most remote areas of the world.