Facebook's Ambitious Plan: Social Media Company To Bring Internet To Cities And Rural Areas

Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook is doing a lot more than just helping friends, families and acquaintances stay connected through social media. The social media giant is also planning to bring Internet to both metropolitan cities and rural areas.

Facebook's Jay Parikh, vice president of infrastructure engineering, announced the company's plans which came from Facebook's Connectivity Lab, Fortune.com reports. "The Connectivity Lab is an in-house Facebook research unit supporting the social network's Internet.org initiative meant to bring the Internet to places where Internet connectivity is scant," Fortune.com shares.

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One project from Facebook's Connectivity Lab is called Project Aries. It involves a customized version of cell towers which will prevent the congestion of radio signals in order to strengthen and increase the speed of signal delivery. Project Aries also has the ability to provide advanced 5G wireless technology to rural areas.

The next project from Facebook's Connectivity Lab is called Terragraph. It involves a wireless system that can provide Internet to blanket cities.

Telegraph uses distribution nodes that are attached to pieces of infrastructure in the city such as lamp posts. This technology can help maintain a stronger and faster Wi-Fi and cellular connection. Facebook is currently testing this initiative in Menlo Park and will conduct further tests in San Jose as well.

One of the biggest reasons why Facebook continues to remain strong and relevant throughout the years is that they do a lot more for the society than just social media. "Facebook has essentially created an entire sector, including indirect employment for people whose job it is to make the platform work for their brand," the Guardian explains. Facebook's Connectivity Lab is continuing the company's important legacy.