Facebook is reportedly planning to launch a satellite into space early next year to provide broadband internet service to areas not currently connected to the internet.
In a filing with the US Federal Communications Commission (FCC), Facebook has revealed its intention to launch a satellite named Athena, according to documents obtained by Wiredthrough Freedom of Information requests.
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The filing, which was made by Facebook under the name PointView Tech, said that the project aims to ‘efficiently provide broadband access to unserved and underserved areas throughout the world’.
A Facebook spokesperson was quoted by Wired as saying: “While we have nothing to share about specific projects at this time, we believe satellite technology will be an important enabler of the next generation of broadband infrastructure, making it possible to bring broadband connectivity to rural regions where internet connectivity is lacking or non-existent.”
Officials from Facebook have met FCC representatives a number of times over the last two years to map out the details of the Athena satellite project.
Athena might be a part of Facebook’s Internet.org programme, which is designed to provide online connectivity to remote areas of the world, reported fortune.com.
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By GlobalDataThe latest development surfaced nearly a month after Facebook announced plans to scrap its Aquila drone project that sought to provide internet connectivity to regions with limited access.
The company has been working to develop a high-altitude platform station (HAPS) system since 2014, but eventually abandoned the project citing increased investments made by leading aerospace companies in similar technology as the reason behind the decision.
