Taara’s Beam: Alphabet’s Moonshot Brings Fiber-Like Internet Speeds Over the Air

A startup originating from Google’s parent company, Alphabet, is poised to disrupt the broadband landscape with its new Taara Beam device. This compact, projector-like system promises to deliver fiber-like internet speeds – up to 25Gbps – wirelessly, offering a potentially cheaper and faster alternative to traditional fiber optic cable deployment, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

Bridging the Connectivity Gap with Light

Taara, which graduated from Alphabet’s “moonshot factory” X last year, utilizes beams of near-infrared light to transmit data over distances of up to 10 kilometers (6.2 miles). This technology bypasses the significant costs and logistical challenges associated with laying fiber optic cables, such as trenching, right-of-way acquisitions, and environmental disruption.

Taara Beam vs. Lightbridge: A Smaller, More Flexible Solution

The Taara Beam represents a significant advancement over its predecessor, the Lightbridge system. Weighing in at just 17 pounds, the Beam is approximately 50% smaller than the original Lightbridge, which weighed nearly 29 pounds. While the Beam’s transmission range is slightly reduced to 10km compared to Lightbridge’s 20km, its smaller form factor facilitates easier deployment and wider adoption.

Targeting ISPs and Carriers, Not Consumers

Unlike SpaceX’s Starlink, which directly targets consumers with satellite-based internet access, Taara is focused on selling its technology to internet service providers (ISPs) and mobile carriers. This business-to-business approach allows Taara to integrate its technology into existing network infrastructure, enhancing capacity and extending coverage.

Applications Beyond Rural Connectivity

Taara’s technology has a broad range of potential applications, extending beyond simply providing internet access to remote areas. The company envisions its systems being used to:

• Extend fiber networks across challenging terrain.
• Upgrade mobile networks to 20 Gbps or more.
• Connect communities faster and bridge connectivity gaps.
• Deliver low-latency throughput for enterprises and events.
• Build resilient connectivity fabrics for cities and public services.

Addressing Weather Challenges with Lightbridge Pro

A key challenge for wireless optical communication is susceptibility to disruption from inclement weather, such as fog. Taara has addressed this concern with the Lightbridge Pro system, which boasts a “99.999%” uptime, even in adverse conditions.

Current Deployments and Future Outlook

Taara’s technology is already deployed in over 20 countries, with partnerships including T-Mobile, SoftBank, Airtel, and Digicel. T-Mobile is utilizing Lightbridge to enhance connectivity at events, while Google’s GFiber is currently testing the technology.

Taara plans to showcase its latest advancements at Mobile World Congress (MWC) in Barcelona, aiming to attract further partnerships and expand its reach. While specific pricing details for the Beam remain undisclosed, Taara offers flexible pricing models, including hardware sales and connectivity-as-a-service, tailored to different geographic regions.

The Taara Photonics Platform: A Foundation for Future Innovation

Underpinning both the Beam and Lightbridge is the Taara Photonics Platform, a silicon-based system that controls light using solid-state beam steering. This platform represents a fundamental shift in connectivity, enabling faster deployment, greater scalability, and continuous improvement of network infrastructure.