Taara Beam: Alphabet spin-off trials light-based internet with fibre-like speeds and ultra-low latency

Taara Beam: Alphabet spin-off trials light-based internet with fibre-like speeds and ultra-low latency
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Alphabet Inc spin-off Taara has unveiled a new wireless internet device, Taara Beam, which transmits data using invisible near-infrared light rather than physical cables, promising fibre-like speeds without the need to dig trenches or lay underground infrastructure.

According to information shared on the technology, the compact unit is about the size of a shoebox and weighs roughly 8kg. It can send and receive data at speeds of up to 25 gigabits per second over distances of up to 10 kilometres, with latency reported to be below 100 microseconds.

These performance figures, if sustained in real-world conditions, would place the system ahead of many satellite-based services in terms of delay and peak throughput. Satellite internet options such as Starlink are widely used in remote areas, but typically experience higher latency because traffic must travel to and from satellites before reaching the wider internet.

Taara Beam is positioned as a quicker-to-deploy alternative for towns and cities, where line-of-sight links can be established between two fixed points. The device can be installed on rooftops, poles or other existing structures within hours, potentially speeding up network expansion, backhaul links and last-mile connectivity projects in areas where obtaining approvals and laying fibre can take months.

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The system uses silicon photonics and more than 1,000 tiny light emitters to steer the beam electronically. Because it does not rely on moving parts, Taara says the design is intended to improve reliability and maintain performance in varying weather conditions.

Taara Beam is not being marketed as a complete replacement for fibre or satellite connectivity. Fibre networks remain critical in dense urban corridors and for high-capacity backbone infrastructure, while satellite internet retains advantages in isolated communities where building terrestrial networks is difficult. Taara Beam is being presented as a complementary option, particularly for connecting businesses, data centres and telecom towers, and for bridging gaps where fibre deployment is slow or costly.

The technology remains in a trial phase, and Taara Beam is set to be showcased at Mobile World Congress Barcelona 2026, where telecoms firms and technology companies often exhibit new products and connectivity solutions.

For communities in Mashonaland Central, faster-to-deploy wireless backhaul technologies could be relevant to efforts to improve connectivity for schools, clinics, local businesses and growth points, especially where fibre routes are limited and mobile networks depend on constrained links between towers.

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