Facebook has announced the launch of an open-sourced wireless access platform, dubbed OpenCelluar, aimed to bring connectivity to remote area of the world.
Mark Zuckerberg revealed the first design of the OpenCellular—a shoebox-sized device that can support up to 1,500 people from as far as 10 kms away.
More than 4 billion people still don't have basic internet access.
In order to bring internet connectivity to the users, Mark Zuckerberg said, ‘one of the biggest challenges is figuring out how to reach remote areas existing infrastructure doesn't cover.’
‘We designed OpenCellular as an open system so anyone — from telecom operators to researchers to entrepreneurs — can build and operate wireless networks in remote places,’ he added.
The OpenCellular wireless access point will be able to make voice calls, send and receive SMS messages, and will use basic connectivity from slow 2G platforms, to fast LTE or Wi-Fi to operate.
