On March 17, 2025, Taara, the innovative project developing laser technology to deliver internet access, officially separated from Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google. After spending years incubated within Alphabet’s experimental lab, known as X, Taara has now emerged as its own standalone entity, albeit with Alphabet retaining a minority stake in the new company.
Eric "Astro" Teller, who oversees futuristic projects at Alphabet's X, explained the rationale behind this significant shift. He stated, "By stepping out of Alphabet, they [Taara] can raise funds more easily, attract strategic partners, and accelerate their development," highlighting the benefits of operational independence for the burgeoning startup. This transition is expected to aid Taara's rapid expansion as it seeks to engage new investors, including Series X Capital.
With around 20 employees, Taara has already begun making waves across 12 countries, connecting under-served regions like Kinshasa and enhancing internet access at major events such as Coachella 2024. The company's unique technology utilizes ultra-thin light beams for data transmission, allowing for speeds of up to 20 gigabits per second over distances of 20 kilometers. This innovative approach sidesteps the costly and time-consuming process of installing traditional fiber optic cables, making it particularly effective for areas lacking infrastructure.
Taara's latest technological advancement, set to be launched by 2026, includes the development of ultra-compact chips to replace the bulkier equipment currently used. This miniaturization would not only simplify the installation process but also significantly improve the deployment of Taara's innovative network. Mahesh Krishnaswamy, Taara's founder, shared bold claims about the upcoming technology, asserting, "We can offer connections 10 to 100 times faster than traditional Starlink antennas at far lower costs." This statement positions Taara as formidable competition for Starlink, which relies on satellite-based internet service.
While Taara is positioning itself as a direct competitor to Elon Musk’s Starlink, the two technologies can serve complementary functions within the broader internet ecosystem. Starlink is particularly effective at providing coverage over large swathes of uninhabited areas, whereas Taara shines when it targets specific locations for concentrated, high-speed internet access.
Taara’s ability to adapt quickly to customer needs, especially for temporary setups or rural deployments, enhances its appeal as it seeks to expand its user base. With this newfound independence from Alphabet, the sky’s the limit for what Taara can achieve as it continues to innovate and capture market share against its more well-known competitor.
The separation from Alphabet marks not just the birth of Taara as an independent entity but also the potential for greater growth and influence within the telecommunications sector. With projects already showing promising results and new technology on the horizon, Taara is poised to redefine how internet access is delivered around the world.
