Facebook to beam free Internet to African continent

Facebook is trying to spread free Internet access to regions of Africa via satellite, Cnet.com reports.

On Monday, the popular social network announced a deal with French satellite operator Eutelsat Communications, to get more people in Africa online by creating a system employing satellites, Internet gateways and terminals. In reaching out to large areas in Sub-Saharan Africa, which are beyond the range of fixed and mobile networks on the ground, the two companies said they will "pursue their ambition to accelerate data connectivity for the many users deprived of the economic and social benefits of the Internet."

Due to get off the ground in the second half of 2016, the project will use Eutelsat's AMOS-6 geostationary satellite to beam Internet connectivity to more than 14 countries across West, East and Southern Africa. Facebook and Eutelsat will share the capacity, which will use affordable customer equipment to provide Internet access to entire communities and well as directly to individual users.