Facebook ends initiative to provide wireless internet via drones

Facebook has cancelled its Project Aquila, a programme to develop drones to deliver high-speed internet to remote areas currently not connected to the internet. According to Facebook, which started its development on the high-altitude platform station (HAPS) technology in 2014, many other companies have started to develop similar technologies, which has led to Facebook deciding not to continue the project. Since the start of the programme, Facebook has been working on technology and policy to help the four billion people currently not connected to the internet gain access. Facebook wanted to do this by flying drones over remote areas currently lacking in internet infrastructure. Those drones were to use beam down high-speed wireless internet connections while using solar power to stay airborne for extended amounts of time.