Facebook has launched OpenCellular; a new wireless access platform designed to bring connectivity to remote locations around the globe.
Mark Zuckerberg is a busy man. In addition to developing Aquila – a solar powered aircraft which will offer free connectivity to regions beneath it – and Free Basics, the Facebook founder has now presided over the launch of OpenCellular; a new open source platform designed to offer connectivity to remote regions of the world.
OpenCellular takes the form of both an open source hardware and software project which is open to both researchers and entrepreneurs alike.
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Of the project, Facebook engineer Kashif Ali writes that “œOne of the reasons the expansion of cellular networks has stalled is that the ecosystem is constrained…Traditional cellular infrastructure can be very expensive, making it difficult for operators to deploy it everywhere and for smaller organizations or individuals to solve hyperlocal connectivity challenges. It‘s often unaffordable for them to attempt to extend network access in both rural and developed communities.“
The system functions through two subsystems; one handles base-band computing while the others handle radio. The overall goal of the project is to deliver a solution which could provide wireless access to the internet over anything from a 2G to an LTE network.
OpenCellular, if implemented, would drastically reduce the financial cost of setting up a new cellular network by means of providing a free, complete solution that not only offers the hardware to establish a network, but further the software which runs it.
Facebook has confirmed that it plans to open source the hardware design of OpenCellular to telecom operators, entrepreneurs, researchers and even manufacturers to enable them to build their own versions.
The goal of providing internet access to remote regions of the world is a difficult one especially when factoring in the constraints of climate and inclement weather. OpenCellular’s hardware design was produced to be rugged enough to conquer high winds and volatile temperatures.
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What are your thoughts on Facebook’s plans to expand connectivity around the globe? Is this a noble initiative, or another shot at luring more people onto its social network? Be sure to let us know your opinion in the comments below!
Follow Bryan Smith on Twitter: @bryansmithSA
