Facebook OpenCellular: An open-source wireless access platform

Facebook has unveiled OpenCellular, an open-source wireless access platform that will bring connectivity to remote areas of the world.

“We designed OpenCellular as an open system so anyone – from telecom operators to researchers to entrepreneurs – can build and operate wireless networks in remote places,” said Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

An OpenCellular device is about the size of a shoe box, and can support up to 1,500 people from up to 10km away.

OpenCellular can be deployed to support a range of communication options, from a network in a box to an access point supporting 2G to LTE.

The system is composed of a general-purpose and base-band computing system with integrated power and housekeeping, and a radio frequency system with integrated analogue front end.

“We aim to work with Telecom Infra Project members to build an active open-source community,” said Facebook.