Facebook's founder is planning to launch a satellite to deliver internet services to remote parts of Africa under his controversial Internet.org scheme.
In a post on the social network, Mark Zuckerberg said he hoped the move would connect "millions" to the internet.
The satellite, due to launch next year, is currently being built under a partnership with French firm Eutelsat.
It would allow mobile users to download an app containing free data access to selected services, including Facebook.
The decision underlines the scale of the billionaire's ambition to boost connectivity in emerging internet markets but the scheme has been met with opposition in many countries such as Uganda, India and Indonesia.
Critics argue that it risks damaging investment by competing mobile operators and the principle of net neutrality because only selected services will be available by Internet.org.
Mr Zuckerberg said: ""Over the last year Facebook has been exploring ways to use aircraft and satellites to beam internet access down into communities from the sky.
"To connect people living in remote regions, traditional connectivity infrastructure is often difficult and inefficient, so we need to invent new technologies.
"The AMOS-6 satellite is under construction now and will launch in 2016 into a geostationary orbit that will cover large parts of West, East and Southern Africa.
"We're going to work with local partners across these regions to help communities begin accessing internet services provided through satellite."
The project has previously been testing other means of delivery, including solar-powered drones.
Eutelsat said users would be able to access the internet from the satellite on "affordable, off-the-shelf customer equipment" from the second half of next year.
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