Alphabet will use beams of light to provide Internet in Kenya

Taara started out as a solution for the Loon project. Brother Moonshot, who uses balloons to provide internet in rural areas, was looking for ways to share data between his sailing ships. The team successfully used FSOC to send a copy of True genius between balloons more than 100 km away. This then sparked a conversation about the use of technology in the field. FSOC is compelling because it uses light, just like fiber optic cables, but does not require a trench or pole. In theory, this makes its deployment cheaper, faster and easier, especially in areas surrounded by rivers, national parks or cities ravaged by conflict.

Taara does have some limitations, however. Terminals perform best at distances of up to 20 km and need a clear “line of sight” to function. This is why the team usually installs them on towers, poles or roofs. The bandwidth is also around 20 Gbps, which the team promises is enough to “have thousands of people watching YouTube at the same time.” A great solution for small towns and villages, therefore, but maybe not for entire towns, unless used in conjunction with traditional infrastructure.