Facebook develops mesh Wi-Fi to deliver internet to over 3.8 billion people

Facebook's efforts to connect the unserved communities in the world with internet are picking up the pace. In its latest blog, the company provided some update to its Express Wi-Fi plans.

Express Wi-Fi aimed at setting up Wi-Fi networks and hotspots in regions where internet connectivity is low. The service was initially available in five countries including India, Indonesia, Tanzania, and Nigeria.
Facebook engineers in Boston are now developing software that simplifies network management for operators and enables them to deploy mesh Wi-Fi networks. This mesh technology is currently being piloted in Tanzania.

Teams in the US, Israel, Europe, and Dubai are also working towards building better solutions in delivering the fast and affordable internet service to the 3.8 billion people in the world who are still not connected to the internet. 

Facebook recently announced that will pull Onavo Protect virtual private network application from the App Store after getting word that it violates Apple's data collection rules, The Wall Street Journal has reported.

The free application creates an encrypted VPN connection that routes internet activity through computer servers managed and secured by Facebook. The app also alerts users when sites they visit might be malicious. Facebook is able to gather information about how people use smartphones outside of the leading social network's services, potentially gleaning insights about rivals or internet trends.

"We've always been clear when people download Onavo about the information that is collected and how it is used," a Facebook spokeswoman told AFP. "As a developer on Apple's platform we follow the rules they've put in place." Facebook did not comment regarding whether it is removing Onavo from the App Store.

With inputs from ANI