Meta Connectivity

2022: Project Closure

On December 12, 2022, it became known that Meta (recognized as an extremist organization; activities on the territory of the Russian Federation are prohibited) closed another project that did not meet expectations. We are talking about the Connectivity division, which, among other things, was engaged in the development of special drones for organizing Internet access.

Meta Connectivity Facebook (formerly Connectivity) was formed in 2013. The main goal of the project was to develop technologies that provide connectivity to the Internet to hard-to-reach regions. Two key platforms were considered. The essence of one of them is the launch of unmanned aerial vehicles capable of functioning at high altitudes. Such drones could distribute the Internet where there is no cellular coverage and traditional wired lines are not available. The second model involved the deployment of a system like Starlink - using satellites in low Earth orbit. In addition, the Meta Connectivity division provided free internet access in developing countries, allowing users to visit only the social network Facebook and several other websites.

Meta has closed another of its failed projects - drones for connecting to the Internet

When exactly the Meta Connectivity project was curtailed is not specified. But it is known that the employees of this unit are redistributed between the Infrastructure and Central Products teams. Apparently, some of the workers will be fired.

It is noted that the closure of Meta Connectivity should not affect the company's participation in the Telecom Infra Project (TIP). This initiative, presented in 2016, provides for the creation and deployment of a global telecommunications infrastructure in order to ensure network access in all regions.^[1]

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