Facebook digging the dirt to bring internet to Uganda

Not content with launching satellites or unmanned solar-powered gliders, Facebook is taking a more based approach to bringing internet to Africa. According to a new Recode report, the company alongside Airtel and BCS, will be trenching Uganda to lay fibre cables.

Around “500 miles” of cable is being planned, and will aim to be a backbone for wireless service providers and the country’s telcos.

Facebook, Airtel and BCS will lay fibre in Uganda to strengthen the country’s internet infrastructure

This isn’t the first time Facebook has looked to Africa in its quest for global internet coverage. In 2015, the company launched its Free Basics programme alongside Airtel, which offered around 17 African countries basic internet services access.

Facebook has also been involved in more elaborate technologies that aim to bring internet to Africa, including satellites (which hasn’t been going all that well of late), and futuristic drones.

According to the report, the project will begin by the end of 2017, and will service around three million Ugandans.

H/T: Recode