Google’s parent company Alphabet’s X division has made a significant breakthrough in its Taara project by developing a silicon photonic chip that enhances laser-based internet transmission. Unlike traditional fiber optic cables, Taara uses laser beams to create “light bridges,” which deliver internet at speeds of 10 Gbps through the air at distances of up to 1 KM. The new version of Taara’s light bridge technology reduces the need for bulky mechanical components—such as gimbals, mirrors, and lenses—by incorporating them into a small chip no larger than a fingernail.
Taara has already demonstrated its viability by connecting Brazzaville and Kinshasa across the Congo River in Africa, reducing internet costs in Kinshasa by five times. It also played a key role in supplementing bandwidth during Coachella 2024, further proving its real-world effectiveness.
Project leader Mahesh Krishnaswamy asserts that Taara’s technology could offer “10, if not 100 times more bandwidth” than satellite-based solutions like Starlink in densely populated areas. Meanwhile, Astro Teller, head of X, envisions this innovation as a foundation for future 7G networks, especially as radio frequency bands become increasingly congested.
As Taara moves toward commercialization, it is preparing to “graduate” from X and secure external funding. According to the company’s official blog post, the new Taara chip will be commercially available in their new products, launching in 2026.
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