Alphabet’s Taara project, born out of the company’s experimental X lab, is using lasers to deliver high-speed internet – offering a compelling alternative to traditional fiber optics and satellite systems like Starlink.
Taara, led by CEO Mahesh Krishnaswamy, is targeting the 3 billion people globally without reliable internet, including 860 million in Africa. The company will compete directly with Starlink, which currently serves over 5 million users across 125 countries.
Unlike satellite-based models, Taara’s ground-based “light bridges” use precision lasers to transmit data at 20 Gbps – the equivalent of fiber speeds – without laying cables. These devices, about the size of a traffic light, use mirrors and lenses to stay aligned even in challenging conditions. Fog remains the biggest obstacle, but the system has proven effective in real-world deployments.
Taara is already operational in 12 countries, seven in Africa, and is now focusing on scaling in Tanzania, Kenya, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria. A standout example is its deployment across the Congo River, where it drastically reduced internet costs in Kinshasa by connecting it to Brazzaville’s fiber network.
Although initial setups cost around $30,000, Taara’s new silicon photonic chip aims to change that—shrinking the technology to fingernail size and replacing mechanical components with solid-state circuitry. This leap could make the solution cheaper, more compact, and scalable.
Astro Teller, Head of X, sees Taara as foundational for future 7G networks, especially as radio frequencies become overcrowded. He envisions mesh networks powered by thousands of light-based chips, supporting everything from smartphones to autonomous vehicles.
Taara will soon graduate from X to become a standalone venture with outside investment, while Alphabet retains a significant stake. Teller remains confident: “I’d be flabbergasted if it doesn’t become a successful business.”
With its laser-focused mission, Taara could not only bridge the global digital divide but also redefine how data is transmitted for decades to come.
