In California, a small group of engineers is confident it can outperform one of the most ambitious Internet projects ever created. Armed with custom devices and a new name – Taara – the team has stepped away from Google’s parent company, Alphabet, to revolutionize global connectivity. Unlike before, they’re focusing on a ground-based solution, not space.
Based in Mountain View, Taara has developed an Internet system that uses light beams instead of fiber cables or satellites. Their goal is clear and ambitious: to deliver more data than a typical Starlink antenna, all at a fraction of the cost. On March 17, 2025, Taara officially became an independent company, ready to attract investors and form new commercial partnerships.
High-Speed Internet Powered by Light
Taara’s network transmits data through focused light beams, known as Lightbridges, capable of reaching speeds of 20 gigabits per second over distances of up to 20 kilometers. About the size of a traffic light, these devices are designed to be mounted on rooftops or poles, requiring a clear line of sight.
Unlike fiber-optic networks, which involve digging trenches and laying underground cables, Taara’s technology can be deployed without disrupting the ground, making it ideal for difficult terrains such as rivers, valleys, buildings, or remote areas lacking broadband infrastructure.
While the concept isn’t entirely new—similar “free-space optical” systems have existed since the late 1990s—these often faced challenges like poor weather conditions and alignment issues. Taara claims its technology overcomes these problems with a more robust design and advanced tracking of the light beams.
Early Trials in Africa and California
Before becoming independent, Taara quietly tested its system in real-world conditions. In Kinshasa, the capital of the Democratic Republic of Congo, it helped improve local communication infrastructure. In Nairobi, Kenya, the company deployed systems across the city, and in the U.S., Taara provided connections at California's Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival.
According to Taara, these early projects demonstrated that their system could deliver stable, high-speed Internet in areas where laying traditional cables would be too expensive or complicated. Rather than replacing satellite Internet, their goal is to strengthen last-mile coverage in areas that need it most.
Founder and CEO Mahesh Krishnaswamy explains that Taara will focus on regions often neglected by major providers: "We can offer a connection that is 10 to 100 times faster than a typical Starlink antenna, and at a much lower cost."
A New Chip and a Bold Future
Looking ahead to 2026, Taara plans to introduce a miniaturized version of its Lightbridge system—an ultra-small chip that can sit on the tip of a finger. This next-generation device will eliminate the need for bulky mounts or optical components, drastically reducing costs and simplifying installation.
The new chip will use wavelengths between infrared and visible light, still supporting ranges up to 20 kilometers. This marks a major shift from the complex mirror-based technology to a near plug-and-play solution, simplifying Taara’s entire model.
Taara’s origins trace back to Alphabet’s Project Loon, which once aimed to deliver Internet via high-altitude balloons. When that project ended in 2021, Krishnaswamy and his team reimagined the optical link technology for ground use leading to the creation of Taara.
Taara vs. Starlink
Though comparisons with Elon Musk’s Starlink are inevitable, Taara operates in a distinct part of the Internet landscape. While Starlink relies on thousands of satellites in low Earth orbit to beam Internet to remote regions, Taara focuses on providing connectivity to individual hubs—such as small towns, villages, or event venues—where ground infrastructure is practical due to concentrated demand.
Eric Teller, who leads moonshot projects at Alphabet’s X division, noted that spinning off Taara was a strategic move. "They’ll be able to quickly connect with capital, attract strategic investors, and scale faster as an independent entity," he said.
Today, Taara operates in 12 countries with around 20 employees. While details about pricing, production, and distribution remain under wraps, the company’s next goal is clear: to expand its global reach and bridge the digital divide for the three billion people still lacking reliable Internet access.
