The Taara project by Google’s X moonshot lab has introduced a photonic chip capable of transmitting data at speeds of 10 gigabits per second (Gbps) using beams of light, offering an alternative to traditional fiber-optic cables.
The new technology is currently being tested as a way to deliver high-speed internet in regions where fiber deployment is difficult or cost-prohibitive, potentially transforming global connectivity.
Divisions of Google’s parent company Alphabet have been experimenting with optical wireless technology for years. One of its most significant real-world deployments occurred in Africa, where the system was used in 2021 to transmit 20Gbps over the Congo River without laying fiber-optic cables.
This success set the stage for the creation of a more compact version of the technology—one that fits on a fingernail-sized chip, designed for scalability in commercial and residential use.
From Large Systems to a Fingernail-Sized Chip
Previously, the Taara system required bulky, traffic-light-sized hardware to align and maintain light beams.
These components were essential for ensuring the precise alignment necessary for stable data transmission over long distances. However, with the new chip, much of that functionality has been integrated into a silicon-based solution.
The photonic chip uses an optical phased array to electronically steer the beams, removing the need for any mechanical parts.
“We’ve taken most of the core functionality of the Taara Lightbridge—which is the size of a traffic light—and shrunk it down to the size of a fingernail,” said Mahesh Krishnaswamy, General Manager of Taara. “This chip makes the entire system more compact and scalable.”
This advancement is a major leap forward in reducing the cost and complexity of optical wireless networks, which could eventually replace or complement fiber infrastructure.
In lab tests conducted at Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory, the new Taara chip successfully transmitted data at speeds of 10Gbps over a distance of one kilometer.
Why the World Needs a New Solution for Broadband
The demand for faster internet is at an all-time high, driven by factors like cloud computing, streaming media, and AI applications.
Fiber-optic cables, while offering the fastest speeds, come with high deployment costs and logistical challenges, particularly in remote or rural regions.
Taara’s chip offers a solution that could bypass these barriers. Its technology is designed to beam data through the air, without requiring any physical cables, thus reducing installation time and cost.
In comparison to traditional satellite internet systems like Starlink, which suffer from latency issues due to the vast distances signals must travel, Taara’s technology offers lower latency and greater stability.
By staying within the Earth’s atmosphere, the light-based system minimizes delays and can potentially offer more reliable service than current satellite internet solutions.
The system also avoids the congestion issues that affect traditional mobile broadband networks. With optical communication, there is virtually no competition for bandwidth, unlike in radio-frequency (RF) communications, where the spectrum is increasingly saturated.
This makes the Taara solution especially appealing for densely populated urban areas, where demand for high-speed internet is growing rapidly but spectrum availability is limited.
Other Optical Innovations: IBM’s Fiber-Optic Module for Data Centers
While Taara focuses on providing wireless optical internet, another innovative fiber-optic technology from IBM has recently been making news.
Their new fiber-optic module is designed to enhance AI model training in data centers by improving internal communication speeds.
By introducing co-packaged optics (CPO), the module aims to eliminate bottlenecks in data transfer speeds that hinder high-performance workloads like AI model training.
The key difference between IBM’s CPO module and Taara’s technology lies in their applications. IBM’s focus is on improving data transfer inside data centers, while Taara seeks to address the high-speed internet needs of remote and urban areas alike.
However, both technologies share a common goal of increasing speed and efficiency through optical solutions.
IBM’s CPO module enhances bandwidth within data centers by up to 80 times compared to traditional electrical interconnects, while Taara’s chip provides high-speed internet connections without the need for fiber-optic cables.
These optical innovations demonstrate how fiber-optic technology is evolving beyond traditional data center communication to enable more efficient, energy-saving solutions in the broader landscape of data processing and transmission.
Expanding the Network: What’s Next for Taara?
Taara is not just a single product but a whole system that will evolve over time. The current version of the chip is capable of transmitting data at 10Gbps over a distance of 1 kilometer.
However, the company is already planning the next iteration, which will feature thousands of emitters to increase the range and data capacity even further.
As Krishnaswamy mentioned, “We plan to extend both the chip’s range and capacity by creating an iteration with thousands of emitters.” This will pave the way for even more widespread deployment of the technology across larger areas, including cities and rural regions.
Furthermore, by integrating optical wireless systems into existing infrastructure like telecom towers and urban buildings, Taara plans to create a hybrid network that combines the best aspects of fiber and optical wireless communication.
This could lead to higher network capacity in urban centers, where existing networks are often congested, while also providing a cost-effective alternative to fiber in rural and remote locations.
The Future of Connectivity: A New Era for High-Speed Internet
Taara’s advancement is another step in Alphabet’s vision to expand internet access globally. The company’s history of exploring alternative methods for providing broadband—from its early attempts with Project Loon, over their Project SkyBender with solar powered drones, to its ongoing investments in fiber networks—has now led to the creation of this innovative solution.
The new photonic chip could serve as a critical tool in meeting the growing demand for faster and more reliable internet connections, especially in regions where traditional infrastructure is not viable.
As the Taara team continues to refine its technology, it aims to push the boundaries of high-speed wireless internet, enabling a more connected world. The potential of this technology to provide fast, affordable internet to underserved communities is immense.
By overcoming the challenges of deployment and scalability, Taara could be a major player in the future of global broadband connectivity, particularly for regions that remain on the wrong side of the digital divide.
According the X, Taara’s chip will be available in our next product launching in 2026.
Last Updated on March 17, 2025 12:14 pm CET
