Alphabet (Google) latest laser communication technology achieves 20Gbps at 5km distance

Alphabet announced the Taara initiative, which aims to bring internet access to distant and neglected communities worldwide. This project, like Loon, uses laser technology to deliver data wirelessly via Free Space Optical Communications (FSOC). 

This technique, according to Alphabet, enables high speeds where miles of fiber connection would typically be necessary. Some tests carried out by Alphabet in Africa have revealed that they have been able to transfer more than 700 gigabytes of data over a distance of more than 5 kilometers. In addition to these discrete testing, the company conducted a trial in which it offered its service for 20 days in a village in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. During this test, they were able to achieve a 99 percent signal strength, allowing service to be practically completely uninterrupted.

According to Alphabet, there are places and towns in India that are completely cut off from the internet, and providing them with fiber internet would necessitate a significant investment in infrastructure and expenditures. The lengths that they must go in order to establish new lines are quite long, and when combined with the terrain, this makes it nearly impossible. As a result, they are attempting to give wireless internet access through the Taara initiative. In this video, they demonstrate that not only is it less expensive to install the towers for the Taara project, but it is also incredibly straightforward and quick to complete the installation process as well.

These towers alter in response to changes in the weather and other natural events. Aside from that, they can change the antennas by moving them by 5 degrees to raise or decrease the laser's strength as needed.

This type of project may be the answer for remote places that are cut off from all other forms of contact. Keep in mind that this is simply a test, and expanding the use of this technology to other locations and providing more coverage may result in major differences in the results. And, while they are conducting testing in India and Africa, it is also true that there are numerous regions in Latin America that are just as isolated from the outside world.

Hopefully, the project will continue to yield positive results, making it a viable means of interacting with these people and the rest of the globe in the future.