Facebook has announced that it will test its first new wireless system for deploying high-speed internet to dense urban areas, starting with downtown San Jose.

According to its F8 conference in San Francisco, California, the social media giant is creating a new way to connect to the internet, utilizing millimeter-wave technology to connect buildings to the larger internet without fiber optic cable.

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They will employ a new system called Terragraph, which is based on the open WiGig standard. With WiGig, it can transmit data using the milimeter wave spectrum to communicate wirelessly between large arrays of outdoor nodes. These nodes would be placed on as many street-level items as possible like lamp posts, and send information between each other using narrow, focused beams.

WiGig has been available publicly since 2010. In this way, third-party hardware can more easily be built with Terragraph-friendly antennae, including phones, cars, and home Wi-Fi routers. Terragraph is designed to supplement existing networks, adding more connectivity in already connected areas.

Jay Parikh, Facebook’s global head of engineering and infrastructure, said that Terragraph will help to bring people online and do it more affordably. Facebook will strengthen the existing wireless signal enough to avoid buildings, crowds and other physical barriers.

“Cities worldwide are searching for ways to ensure that all residents can enjoy the benefits of internet connectivity by broadening access to fast and affordable broadband service. San José is proud to work with a global tech leader like Facebook to pilot a next-generation technology that can help us achieve these goals and support research to support communities around the world,” said San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo.

San Jose government officials and Facebook state that they are planning to launch the downtown pilot later this year.

TagsFacebook, Terragraph, san jose, Terragraph Wi-Fi, Facebook F8 Conference