Send this page to someone via email

The moon will soon have cellphone service, according to an announcement made by telecommunications giants Tuesday.

READ MORE: Elon Musk left hidden message on Tesla Roadster he launched into deep space

Vodafone and Nokia have partnered with Berlin-based company PTScientists to bring 4G network and live video streaming to the moon in 2019. Other high-profile companies such as SpaceX and car manufacturer Audi will also assist in the project.

WATCH: NASA to build new space station near moon as Trump wants to turn ISS into business venture

1:14 NASA to build new space station near moon as Trump wants to turn ISS into business venture NASA to build new space station near moon as Trump wants to turn ISS into business venture

It is slated to be the first non-government funded mission to the moon.

Story continues below advertisement

Here’s how the mission will work

The telecom companies will first work to create a “space-grade network,” projected to weigh less than one kilogram, a press release explained.

The network will be used to connect two rovers that Audi will create. The lunar Quattro rovers will be able to communicate and transfer the data they collect, including HD video, back to those monitoring the mission on Earth.

WATCH: NASA says ozone hole is recovering

0:52 NASA says ozone hole is recovering NASA says ozone hole is recovering

The rovers’ main objective will be to inspect NASA’s Apollo 17, which was left behind by astronauts in 1972.

The system will be transported to the moon by Elon Musk’s SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket sometime in 2019.

Story continues below advertisement

WATCH: Massive ‘cold moon’ celebrated by skygazers around the globe

0:55 Massive ‘cold moon’ celebrated by skygazers around the globe Massive ‘cold moon’ celebrated by skygazers around the globe

Robert Böhme, who is the founder of PTScientists, explained in a press release that the infrastructure created by this mission will be instrumental in future missions as well.

“This is a crucial first step for sustainable exploration of the solar system,” Böhme said. “With Mission to the Moon, we will establish and test the first elements of a dedicated communications network on the Moon.”

Better service than parts of the world

News of the mission prompted discussion online about parts of the world that still struggle to have network coverage.

Twitter users from around the world complained telecom companies are prioritizing the moon mission over places on Earth, such as rural communities and developing countries and cities.

Story continues below advertisement

"Mobile giants Vodafone and Nokia have laid out plans to launch a 4G mobile network on the Moon" < when you've finished with that, Vodafone, perhaps you could sort out reception in my house. Then pay some taxes? kthxbai https://t.co/gFpw13DmXt — Bruce Lawson (@brucel) February 28, 2018

Dear @VodafoneIN, pls fix your 4G connectivity in Mumbai, Earth. Robots on Moon can wait. https://t.co/Bay70RJW6a — Subrahmanyam KVJ (@SuB8u) February 27, 2018

Elon musk bringing Internet to the moon. And I still can't get it between stations on the tube? Ummmm — Viggo (@viggo45) February 28, 2018

While access to the internet is rapidly increasing around the world, there are still many areas that have trouble connecting. According to a May 2016 report from the World Economic Forum, more than four billion people don’t have access to the internet.

Most are located in developing countries, but there are places without internet access even in wealthy nations.