On March 17, 2025, Alphabet Inc. announced the official spin-off of its innovative internet startup, Taara, from its experimental research lab known as X. This development marks a pivotal step for the company, which utilizes advanced laser technology to deliver high-speed internet to regions often neglected by conventional infrastructure.
Initially birthed from the Loon project—an ambitious endeavor aimed at providing internet connectivity through high-altitude balloons—Taara has since evolved, focusing on terrestrial applications. It transmits data using narrow beams of invisible laser light, enabling speeds of up to 20 gigabits per second over distances reaching 20 kilometers (approximately 12 miles). This capability positions Taara as not just another internet service provider but as a significant advancement for connectivity where laying fiber-optic cables is impractical or overly expensive.
Located in Sunnyvale, California, close to Google's headquarters, Taara currently employs around 20 staff members and is actively hiring as it expands its operational capacity. The company has also successfully raised funding from Series X Capital, though the specifics of this investment and future financial targets remain undisclosed. Despite this, Alphabet is set to retain a minority stake, helping to guide Taara as it forges its own path.
Mahesh Krishnaswamy, the general manager of Taara, expressed the company’s mission: "The system can transmit data at 20 gigabits per second over 20 km," emphasizing the technology's capacity to surpass the limitations faced by traditional radio frequency systems, especially as demand for bandwidth grows.
Taara's technology aims to bridge connectivity gaps, particularly across challenging terrains such as mountains, rivers, and urban sprawls where extensive groundwork is typically required. With its laser-based approach, Taara does not compete with existing infrastructure projects like Starlink—Elon Musk's satellite internet service—but complements them. Unlike Starlink, which contracts directly with consumers, Taara partners with established telecom companies such as T-Mobile, facilitating the expansion of telecommunications services without directly entering the consumer market.
Krishnaswamy noted, "Think of Taara as a backbone..." highlighting the company's role as support for existing infrastructure rather than vying for the same consumer base as satellite providers. This distinction is pivotal as it allows Taara to leverage existing networks, enhancing their capacity rather than replacing them.
Taara's laser transmission technology evolved after the discontinuation of the Loon project due to various regulatory hurdles. Loon attempted to use balloons to provide internet access but faced significant challenges. Now, Taara is charting its course with similar technology but adapted for ground-based use. For example, the flagship product, the Taara Lightbridge, resembles traffic light-sized modules mounted on poles or rooftops, which can be deployed within hours, significantly faster than traditional installation processes.
During its initial stages, Taara has already demonstrated its capability by successfully transmitting 700 terabytes (TB) of data at 20 gigabits per second over approximately 5 kilometers between Brazzaville and Kinshasa, the capitals of the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo, respectively. This achievement showcases not only the potential reach of their technology but also its practical application.
Taara has set its sight on major markets, currently operational across 12 countries including several nations in Africa, India, and Australia. It was even present at the Coachella Music Festival, where it provided supplemental internet service, easing congestion on traditional mobile networks.
Looking forward, the company plans to develop more compact versions of its technology. Krishnaswamy has indicated aspirations to create silicon photonic chips, minimizing the need for bulky mirrors and lenses, which could streamline installations and reduce costs. The first of these chips is expected to significantly increase Taara's bandwidth capabilities when launched around 2026.
Touted as the next stage of development, the miniaturization of Taara's technology places it at the forefront of innovation within the high-speed internet sector. With projections indicating their technology could deliver up to 100 times more bandwidth to users compared to traditional satellite antennas, Taara is positioning itself uniquely within this growing market.
With ambitious goals and strong backing, Taara not only prepares to change the face of internet access for rural and underserved areas but also aims to support urban environments. The race for enhanced global connectivity may see Taara emerge as a key player, poised to fit within the wider vision of increasing accessibility for the estimated 3 billion individuals still lacking reliable internet access worldwide.
Overall, the spinoff of Taara signifies more than just corporate restructuring; it heralds the introduction of innovative solutions to longstanding connectivity challenges and pulses with the promise of transforming how digital communications are delivered worldwide.
