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As part of its effort to bring internet connectivity to undeserved parts of the world, social network giant Facebook has launched an open-source communications platform called Open Cellular.
Mark Zuckerberg shared images on his profile of a shoe box-sized device that contained the hardware needed to set up a local, wireless network. He wrote ''OpenCellular is the next step on our journey to provide better, more affordable connectivity to bring the world closer together''.
Facebook engineer Kashif Ali, speaking in the new platform said ''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 device can be attached to tree, or telephone lamp pole and from there can drive wireless network from 2G phone networks to LTE and even WiFi. The product is open source, meaning telecom operators, entrepreneurs, researchers etc will be able to build their own versions and the hope is that it can provide a simpler and less expensive way of erecting wireless networks in the more rural areas of the developing world, including parts of Africa and India.
Mark Zuckerberg shared images on his profile of a shoe box-sized device that contained the hardware needed to set up a local, wireless network. He wrote ''OpenCellular is the next step on our journey to provide better, more affordable connectivity to bring the world closer together''.
Facebook engineer Kashif Ali, speaking in the new platform said ''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 device can be attached to tree, or telephone lamp pole and from there can drive wireless network from 2G phone networks to LTE and even WiFi. The product is open source, meaning telecom operators, entrepreneurs, researchers etc will be able to build their own versions and the hope is that it can provide a simpler and less expensive way of erecting wireless networks in the more rural areas of the developing world, including parts of Africa and India.
