High-speed Laser Internet from Taara Challenges Traditional Standards, Boasting Speeds Up to a Century Faster Than Starlink and More Affordable Than Fiber Optics, Primed to Upend the Industry
In the world of high-speed internet connectivity, a new player is making waves. Taara, a startup spun off from Alphabet, has unveiled a groundbreaking plan to deliver lightning-fast internet using laser beams, a technology they call Lightbridge. This innovative approach promises to deliver data speeds 10 to 100 times faster than Starlink, a satellite-based internet service developed by SpaceX, all while avoiding the costly and time-consuming trenching for cable laying that is common in traditional fiber-optic systems.
The Lightbridge system is designed to be mounted on rooftops or poles, maintaining an unobstructed line of sight, making it particularly well-suited for locations where laying down cables is impractical or impossible, such as across rivers, over valleys, or between high-rise buildings.
Taara's technology is built around laser technology that could deliver internet speeds far beyond what is currently possible through satellites or fiber-optic networks. The system uses free space optics (FSO) technology to transmit high-speed data through laser beams without the need for fiber cables. This places it distinctly compared to Starlink satellites and traditional fiber-optic networks in terms of speed, cost, and applicability.
In terms of speed, Taara’s Lightbridge can deliver speeds of up to 20 Gbps with ultra-low latency and no packet loss under clear weather conditions. This speed rivals or exceeds many existing terrestrial broadband services and fiber connections in practice. Starlink satellites, on the other hand, typically offer download speeds in the range of 50-250 Mbps, with latency around 20-40 ms, still slower and more latent than fiber or FSO under ideal conditions.
Cost-wise, Taara’s Lightbridge system can be deployed without the need for expensive and time-consuming fiber permits because it uses unlicensed optical spectrum and is installed on existing infrastructure like poles or rooftops, reducing physical deployment costs and timelines. Fiber-optic infrastructure, in contrast, requires extensive and costly civil engineering work, often impractical or expensive in remote or difficult terrain. Starlink’s satellite connectivity can be costly upfront due to user terminal equipment but often offers a simpler solution where fiber or FSO deployment is impossible or cost-prohibitive.
The applicability of Lightbridge extends beyond remote locations. It can supplement fiber in urban areas to reduce network buildout time and cost, especially where fiber installation is delayed or impractical. In urban areas, Lightbridge can offer a rapid and cost-effective solution, reducing the time and cost associated with traditional fiber deployment. Starlink, on the other hand, offers broad coverage from orbit and is good for remote, rural, or underserved areas lacking any fixed infrastructure, but latency and speed may be limiting for some urban or high-bandwidth applications.
Taara plans to release a miniaturized version of its Lightbridge system in 2026, in the form of a chip the size of a fingertip. This miniaturized Lightbridge system will operate using a section of the electromagnetic spectrum that lies between infrared and visible light, still offering 20 Gbps speeds over distances up to 20 kilometers. This miniaturization could make the technology even easier to deploy, bringing fast internet to places where the full-scale system might not be needed.
In summary, Taara’s Lightbridge offers a compelling middle-ground solution that can deliver fiber-like speeds and latency without the cost and permit constraints of fiber, making it ideal for bridging gaps especially in rural or difficult terrain areas and speeding urban deployments. Starlink serves well as a widespread coverage solution where ground networks do not exist, but with slower speeds and higher latency. Fiber networks remain best for core infrastructure and urban environments where infrastructure can be economically deployed and maintained.
References: [1] Taara Technologies. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.taaratech.com/ [2] Light Reading. (2021, March 16). Taara’s Lightbridge promises fiber-like speeds without the fiber. Retrieved from https://www.lightreading.com/network-infrastructure/access-networks/wireless/taaras-lightbridge-promises-fiber-like-speeds-without-the-fiber/d/d-id/784106
- Taara's innovative Lightbridge technology, using laser beams for data transmission, could revolutionize the landscape of environmental-science research by providing fast and reliable internet connections, even in remote or difficult terrain.
- With the potential for investing in real-estate development in areas with improved internet connectivity, Taara's Lightbridge system could positively impact the personal-finance prospects of those living in previously underserved regions.
- In the realm of lifestyle improvements, fast and reliable internet connections made possible by Lightbridge can open up opportunities for home-and-garden enthusiasts to explore online shopping options more efficiently, stream high-definition content, and participate in technology-driven hobbies like data-and-cloud-computing and sports-betting.
- As a significant player in the environmental-science field, Taara's Lightbridge promises to play a crucial role in mitigating the effects of climate-change, as faster internet allows for greater access to relevant scientific data and facilitates collaboration among researchers worldwide.
- The launch of the miniaturized Lightbridge system in 2026 has the potential to democratize internet access, making it possible to bring fast and cost-effective internet to developing countries and remote communities, thereby improving their overall quality of life and potentially contributing to sustainable development goals.
- In terms of sports, improved internet infrastructure such as Taara's Lightbridge can facilitate live streaming of events in remote locations, allowing fans worldwide to have a more immersive and accessible sports experience, ultimately expanding the global sports-betting market.
- The development of Taara's Lightbridge technology is a testament to the power of science and technology, demonstrating how innovation can bridge gaps between various sectors, from finance and real-estate to lifestyle and sports, thereby creating a more interconnected and globally competitive world.
