Facebook To Capture 3.5 Billion New Users Over The Next 15 Years

Last week, Facebook Inc FB CEO and Founder Mark Zuckerberg said he plans to add 3.5 billion new users to the site by 2030. That's a big aim for the social media site, especially considering that would mean more than 70 percent of the world's population would be using the site.

Zuckerberg's proclamation may sound like an optimistic, off-handed remark, but the company is actually planning to work toward that figure by increasing Internet access across the globe.

Expanding Access

In order to grow its user base to 5 billion, Facebook will need to expand Internet access globally, as current estimates for the number of people around the world that are connected sits around 2.3 billion. That means Zuckerberg will have to double that figure as well as persuading every single user to sign up to the site— something that will be no be no easy feat.

Related Link: Is Facebook's Free Internet Fair?

Innovation

To accomplish his goal, Zuckerberg has already begun working on innovative ways to connect those who are unable to access the Internet due to financial problems or infrastructure issues. The company launched Free Basics, a partnership with local communications companies that allows people to access a watered-down version of the Internet for free. Of course, their limited Internet platform allows for access to Facebook.

Drone

The company has also been developing a drone that will essentially beam down Internet connections for those who live in remote locations where there is no infrastructure available to power online connections.

The drone, which has been in the making for quite some time, is expected to be solar powered and able to stay in flight for days at a time. Image Credit: Public Domain