Google's parent company Alphabet's X division has achieved a significant milestone with the development of a silicon photonic chip for its Taara project. This groundbreaking chip enhances laser-based internet transmission, offering an innovative alternative to traditional fiber optic cables. Taara uses laser beams to create "light bridges" that can deliver internet at speeds of up to 10 Gbps over distances of up to 1 kilometer. The new chip design eliminates the need for bulky mechanical components, such as gimbals, mirrors, and lenses, by integrating them into a compact chip no larger than a fingernail.

The Taara project has already demonstrated its effectiveness by connecting Brazzaville and Kinshasa across the Congo River in Africa, resulting in a fivefold reduction in internet costs for Kinshasa. Additionally, Taara provided supplemental bandwidth during Coachella 2024, further proving its real-world capabilities.

Potential for 7G Networks

Project leader Mahesh Krishnaswamy suggests that Taara's technology could offer "10, if not 100 times more bandwidth" than satellite-based solutions like Starlink in densely populated areas. Astro Teller, head of X, envisions this innovation as a foundation for future 7G networks, especially as radio frequency bands become increasingly congested.

As the Taara project moves towards commercialization, it is preparing to "graduate" from X and secure external funding. According to the company's official blog post, the new Taara chip will be commercially available in their upcoming products, set to launch in 2026.