Wireless internet is about to take a new flight. A Portuguese company, Quarkson, has successfully tested a solar powered drone which aims at providing internet access across the world. The revolutionary machine is fitted with a Wi-Fi transmitting device which transmits signals while the drone is airborne. These signals are then absorbed by a patch antenna placed on the ground.
Speaking weather-wise, the viability of these drones can be questioned. Will these drones survive extreme weather conditions? And how will cloudy conditions affect signal transmission? All these questions remain unanswered as the project is in its nascent stage. But weather activity across the globe will surely be a challenge for the developers.
Providing internet via drones is a burning topic in the global internet community. Facebook has already expressed its desire to provide free internet services via the ‘internet.org’ plan. The social media giant has already acquired ‘Titan Aerospace’, the company which makes drones that can deliver internet. Google is also working on ‘Project Loon’ which aims at providing internet from the sky using floating balloons.
As of now, the solar powered drone can transmit both LTE and Wi-Fi signals. Currently, the team can come up with a new prototype of the drone in every two months. But proper investments will allow the company to go for mass production in near future. As they say, sky is the limit!
(Featured Image Credits: trente.eu)