Facebook Shows How Lasers Will Give Web To Poor

Facebook (NasdaqGS: FB - news) says it wants to use satellites fitted with lasers to beam information to some of the most remote places on Earth.

It is part of a drive called Internet.org, which is aimed at giving cheap internet access to people in developing countries.

Founder Mark Zuckerberg wrote on his Facebook page: "We’re working on ways to use drones and satellites to connect the billion people who don't live in range of existing wireless networks.

"Our Connectivity Lab is developing a laser communications system that can beam data from the sky into communities. This will dramatically increase the speed of sending data over long distances.

"This is just one connectivity project we’re working on, but I was excited to share this with you."

He shared an image of the laser devices which will be used, but was quick to point out that the lasers would not be visible.

"Normally you wouldn't be able to see the actual beams," he wrote, "but for this demonstration we made them visible."

The stated aim of Internet.org is to "connect the two thirds of the world that doesn't have internet access".

It is led by Facebook with support from Ericsson (Xetra: ERCA.DE - news) , Nokia, Samsung and others.