On July 2020, Alphabet launched Taara, a laser internet technology, developed under Alphabet’s X lab, as an independent company, to compete with Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite network.
The spin-off, backed by Series X Capital and a minority investment from Alphabet, allows Taara laser internet to scale quickly, speed up partnerships, and attract new investors to take its laser-powered internet even further.
How Laser Internet Technology Works?
The technology relies on free-space optical communication (FSOC) based on laser beams to convey high-speed internet without the need for satellites. Unlike Starlink’s satellite network, Taara laser-powered internet technology involves the use of laser terminals on the ground with a capacity to transport data at up to 20 Gbps over a distance of up to 20 kilometers (12 miles). The newly developed laser internet connectivity is an economically feasible option contrary to standard fiber optics – ideal for rural and underserved regions.
Laser internet technology has been advanced under the initiative of Taara, making laser-powered internet technology links more plausible by overcoming weather challenges among other issues.
Taara intelligent terminals use sensors and algorithms to provide a stable, high-speed link by adjusting in real time, keeping it strong even in bad weather. Despite Taara’s promising potential, the system still requires a line-of-sight between terminals, which can limit its reach and performance in certain environments.
Taara Laser Internet or Starlink?
Taara’s laser internet model is very different from Starlink, while Musk’s creation is space-based, laser-powered internet technology operates on the ground, avoiding the complex regulatory issues liked to launching satellites into orbit.
The laser internet approach has drawbacks, including the need for clear lines of sight between terminals and being vulnerable to susceptibility to weather interference. But Taara is focused on building a silicon photonic chip to miniaturize its system and steering clear bulky mirrors and lenses.
Taara laser internet has a long road to reach Starlink, which has over four million subscribers worldwide. Instead, Taara’s business model is that of partnership with telecommunication carriers like T-Mobile, covering outlying regions but not offering individual subscriptions.
Taara fills connectivity gaps by offering laser internet as a feasible solution where traditional infrastructure is infeasable. Through telecom partnerships, Taara will deliver scalable high-speed laser internet access to the world.
Future of Laser Internet
Taara already operates in 12 countries and has delivered laser internet to major events like Coachella. Although laser internet technology is still in the phase of becoming more mature, its ability to provide laser-based internet at this level could transform global connectivity.
With increasing need for alternative solutions to the internet, laser-powered internet technology can be a good element to help bridge the digital divide, offering a quicker and more responsive alternative where satellite or fiber optic is not an option. As Taara continues to develop, it holds the potential to be a significant key toward having a quality, high-speed internet access worldwide.
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