Facebook's airplanes are big

[Legend]

http://mashable.com/2015/03/26/facebook-drone-aquila/

Bigger than a 747



Both google and fb are working hard with alternative techniques to bring internet to the people.

[BasilZero]

http://mashable.com/2015/03/26/facebook-drone-aquila/

Bigger than a 747



Both google and fb are working hard with alternative techniques to bring internet to the people.

OMG.......that is crazy

For comparison sake this is the Boeing 737 which the article is comparing the wingspan to be.



But bringing internet over the skies........REVOLUTION OF INTERNET :O!

[Mmm_fish_tacos]

I wonder how the faa feels about this. Also wouldn't it be better to drop pods around the area that could then fly back home when the need service? Why choose something that stays in the sky?

[kitler53]

I wonder how the faa feels about this. Also wouldn't it be better to drop pods around the area that could then fly back home when the need service? Why choose something that stays in the sky?

same reason we build towers..



their is a "line of sight" aspect of signal quality.  being high means a more reliable signal that covers a larger area of land.

[Mmm_fish_tacos]

same reason we build towers..

Spoiler for Image:

<img src="http://www.ipick.ca/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/CellPhoneTower_OR1.jpg" alt="" class="bbc_img" loading="lazy">

their is a "line of sight" aspect of signal quality.  being high means a more reliable signal that covers a larger area of land.

These pod choppers would and could place them selfs on the tallest trees.

[Legend]

I wonder how the faa feels about this. Also wouldn't it be better to drop pods around the area that could then fly back home when the need service? Why choose something that stays in the sky?

Think of it like a cheap satellite.

[Legend]

These pod choppers would and could place them selfs on the tallest trees.

hahahah

"wtf facebook why you landing mechanical birds in my tree!?"

[Mmm_fish_tacos]

hahahah

"wtf facebook why you landing mechanical birds in my tree!?"

Lol, they'll shut up when they realize they have internet.

[kitler53]

Lol, they'll shut up when they realize they have internet.

or, as often happens in the impoverish locations these airplanes are designed to serve, one of the locals will capture it and sell the parts for money.

[Mmm_fish_tacos]

How much do you think it will cost them if one of those things falls out if the sky?

[Legend]

How much do you think it will cost them if one of those things falls out if the sky?

The cost of the plane plus the cost of anything it hits.

[Mmm_fish_tacos]

The cost of the plane plus the cost of anything it hits.

Getting a pod stolen from time to time would be cheaper that just on of those crashing into a house.