Facebook working on laser-transmitted data system for Internet.org

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has posted an update on the Internet.org effort on his website, showcasing their latest development.

The program is now developing a new laser communication array, that can be used to beam signals right from satellites to various communities, thus reducing the time taken to send data across long distances. While the beams would normally be invisible, they've made them visible for the ongoing experiment. While Zuckerberg didn't detail how the laser system works in his post, Facebook has, in the past, explained it a little more.




Free Space Optics (FSO), as the project is titled, makes use of infrared beams to transmit data in space at bandwiths equalling fibre optic networks on the ground. This means that, in addition to Facebook's plans to have geosynchronous and low-earth orbit satellites, FSO can be used to transmit data between satellites, or even directly to a ground point. 

There are problems with the execution, however, as FSO requires a direct line of sight between the destination and source, which could pose a problem during bad weather. Another issue is that the laser has to be extremely accurate for it to work, " the equivalent of needing to hit a dime from 10 miles away, or hit the Statue of Liberty from California." But if those problems can be worked out, it looks Facebook is really on to something. And between their satellites, drone programs,and tie ups with local telcos, Internet.org might actually be able to connect the vast multitudes across countries and bring them online.