MWC 2016: Mark Zuckerberg outlines plans for global internet connectivity in 2016

Facebook founder not convinced by focus on 5G connecting devices rather than people

BARCELONA: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has outlined the company's mission to connect the world in 2016, including the first flight of an internet-beaming drone.

Zuckerberg expressed disappointment at the companies showcasing products at MWC 2016 for focusing too much on faster internet connections and 5G rather than widespread connectivity.

He also noted that aspects of Facebook's Internet.org programme have met challenges in India concerning net neutrality and competition.

"It's kind of crazy that we're sitting here in 2016 and four billion people in the world still don't have access to the internet," he said.

"Not any one company or government can fix this on their own, and we just want to help that. Facebook's mission is to connect everybody in the world to the internet."

Facebook's Aquila project will launch the first full-sized drone, which uses lasers, solar power and carbon fibre construction to fly for months on end and beam internet access to areas where connectivity is poor or non-existent.

"We're about to test internet drones for the first time. We're this year going to launch our first satellite over Africa to beam down internet there, and just today we announced the Telco Info project, the goal of which is just like Open Compute," he said, comparing the project to Facebook's effort to open source its server hardware and software for telecoms technology.

"We design a lot of our own servers and data centre equipment and we decided to make all of that open source and we've saved more than $2bn in the first few years. If that goes well, the savings could get passed on to consumers with cheaper data plans."

Internet.org will also be boosted with the launch of the first AMOS-6 satellite in partnership with Israeli firm Spacecom.

An Indian challenge
Facebook's Internet.org has been aimed at India, but has raised net neutrality concerns regarding the Free Basics mobile connectivity programme designed to get previously unconnected people interested in the internet.

"What we've learned here is that every country is different. Free Basics has been rolled out to 19 million people who before couldn't get onto the internet, but we've recently had this ruling in India that says there's no differential pricing," said Zuckerberg.

"It's disappointing and a major setback in India. We've learned that the models that work in one country won't work in another. In India we're going to focus on different programmes, and we want to work with all of the operators there. Facebook isn't a company that hits a roadblock and just gives up."

Zuckerberg denied accusations that Facebook is only out for what it can get. "I think a lot of people think companies don't care about anything except making money. We've come around to thinking that a for-profit company is a good way to make changes in the world."

Connectivity over 5G
Zuckerberg criticised other technology companies for focusing on future 5G technology and faster internet connections, rather than the spread of global connectivity.

"One of the things I've heard at MWC so far this year that I think has been a little disappointing is the idea that 4G was about giving people a good experience and 5G was about connecting things," he said.

"We should definitely increase bandwidth and all that, but it would be possible for this industry to continue growing and making a lot of money while doubling down on faster connections for rich people.

"I hope that we don't do that and we actually finish the job of making sure everyone in the world gets internet access."

Facebook continues to bring more services to other parts of the world, particularly in Europe where it has selected Ireland for a second European data centre.