Internet transmitted via light.

No cable and almost infinite bandwidth challenges Starlink

Google's parent company Alphabet has unveiled a revolutionary breakthrough in global connectivity: Taara, a silicon photonic chip capable of transmitting data through the air using beams of light. This technology promises to eliminate the need for physical cables and could transform the way the internet is distributed, especially in remote regions.

The Taara works in a similar way to traditional fiber optic cables by transmitting data through Light, however, it does not need physical cables, which facilitates its implementation and drastically reduces infrastructure costs, it operates in a range of the electromagnetic spectrum between infrared and visible light, allowing almost infinite bandwidth and extremely fast transmissions, speeds of up to 20 gbps gigabits per second at distances of up to 20 km and all this with installation and configuration in a few hours, instead of months or years as with the traditional fiber optics.

Initially this technology was developed for the loom project balloons that sought to bring internet to isolated regions, however, with the closure of the project in 2021 Alphabet redirected its efforts to convert the Taara chip into an independent solution, tests have already demonstrated its efficiency in transmitting broadband across the Congo River and through the streets of Nairobi, highlighting its potential to bring internet to hard-to-reach places.

When will the Taara arrive on the market.

With nearly 3 billion people still without internet access, while many others face extremely slow connections, Taara can overcome physical barriers and dramatically reduce connectivity costs. Compared to SpaceX's Starlink, Taara can provide up to 100 times more bandwidth per user and at a significantly lower cost.

Alphabet estimates that the chip will be available from 2026, although its initial adoption could be slow. However, its advantages in cost, speed and ease of installation could make it a key piece in the global expansion of connectivity.