Facebook has taken another step toward trying to bring connectivity to people around the world.

The social networking giant announced on Wednesday that it has designed and tested an open-source wireless access platform with the goal of improving connectivity to rural areas.

And Facebook’s plan is that it will fit inside a shoebox.

Dubbed OpenCellular, it reportedly can offer connectivity to about 1,500 people who are sending and receiving voice calls and SMS messages. It provides basic 2G data connectivity.

The small-box design alows the new system to be attached to anything from a utility pole to a tree. It can also handle extreme weather, so it can serve people in a variety of severely cold or hot environments.

To read this article in full or to leave a comment, please click here