Zuckerberg says basic Internet should be as universal as 911 service

Mark Zuckerberg sees the Internet as a vital service that should be made available to everyone across the world -- a service that can be as vital as, say, the ability to call for emergency help on a telephone.

In an editorial published Monday in The Wall Street Journal, the Facebook chief outlined his vision for a future of universal Internet access, and the steps he sees to get there. Currently only one-third of the world is connected, he said, with the rest lacking access due to issues like high costs or a lack of infrastructure.

Facebook has been looking to grow beyond its founding as a pure-play social networking site to become an ambitious Internet services provider, using tools that to some might seem like science fiction. Unmanned aerial drones, satellites and laser beams are now all under development and could become platforms to deliver the company's services in the future.