Facebook, Broadband drones? | Telecom Consumer Discussion Forums

The idea is extremely attractive, but I wonder how those drones will resist to a sand storm in Africa or closer, to a violent storm in the Black Sea?

Sometimes nature is still more powerful than technology

Cellnut said
That’s a very good point that you make Costin. It may not work out as well as they hope. I think the key focus they desire is cost effective cell phone and limited broadband service for Africa. I don’t think anyone envisions Africa having a wired broadband service installed continent wide anytime soon.   I think another concern for these kinds of things is the countries in Africa are constantly changing hands and these drones, and other forms of flying broadband could be shot out of the sky.

Additionally to the your observations, I would add are some African countries interested in broadband Internet?

I`m afraid, with the exception of few states as South Africa, the majority are marked by authoritarian political regimes. Internet means freedom of speech, something that a dictator isn`t willing to accept too soon

That’s a great point you have, and yes, there are only a few nations in Africa that are both stable and open enough in terms of government to allow internet where freedom of information could change the political and power climates there. However, at least for the few countries where this be welcomed very easily, I see it having some use. I mean, let’s face it, even if you could only supply limited mobile broadband to some access points or a basic cellular wireless network, I feel that it could be positive to the societies there. I think the largest plus is more communication and education benefits.

As you mentioned, it could be a plus, but the population has to be prepared for it

The youth is likely to accept, while people over 40 years might treat it as an external threat, something that the West uses to distract their attention from real issues as famine, illness