Report: Facebook Inc. Backs Off Building A Satellite

Facebook Inc.

won't build its own satellite as a means of providing access to basic internet services available to every person in the world, according to a report citing anonymous sources. https://www.theinformation.com/Facebook-Dumps-Secret-Plan-to-Build-Satellite The technology publication called The Information offered the report Monday, citing "a person with direct knowledge of the project and a person briefed about it." The Information was launched in December, 2013, by former Wall Street Journal reporter Jessica Lessin. Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg in March outlined efforts by the company's Connectivity Lab to build drones, satellites and lasers to provide Internet access in remote corners of the world. https://www.facebook.com/zuck/posts/10101322049893211 Zuckerberg, who didn't disclose financial aspects of the project, said Facebook had hired "leading experts in aerospace and communications technology" for the project. Connectivity Lab, according to Zuckerberg, had hired personnel from NASA's Jet Propulsion Lab and Ames Research Center as well as from Ascenta, which produced the world's longest-flying solar-powered unmanned aircraft. Connectivity Lab is working with Internet.org, a Facebook-led initiative that says its aim is "to connect the two thirds of the world that doesn't have internet access." https://internet.org/about Members of Internet.org besides Facbook include Ericsson

, Nokia Corporation

, and MediaTek Inc. (TPE:2454). The group also includes QUALCOMM, Inc.

, OPERA SOFTWARE ASA

and SAMSUNG ELECT LTD

.