A shoebox-sized device called the Taara Beam is promising to deliver fiber-like internet speeds of up to 25Gbps using invisible beams of light instead of cables or satellites. Originally developed as part of a Google Moonshot project, the technology is now positioned as a potential alternative to traditional infrastructure-heavy broadband systems, according to TechRadar.
Unlike conventional fiber networks that require trenching and extensive ground installations, the Taara Beam transmits data via tightly focused beams of light between units. Each device can be mounted on rooftops or lampposts and is capable of delivering connectivity across distances of up to 10 kilometers. Because the light used is invisible to the naked eye, the system operates without noticeable visual disruption.
The device is not aimed at home users. Instead, it targets commercial and institutional customers such as network operators, data centers, and university campuses. In environments where laying fiber cables is too expensive, slow, or impractical, Taara says its system can offer comparable speeds with far less physical infrastructure.
Latency is another key selling point. TechRadar reports that the Taara Beam can achieve latency as low as 100 microseconds, significantly faster than satellite-based systems such as Starlink. That could make it attractive for applications requiring high-speed, low-latency data transfer, including enterprise networking and cloud services.
However, the system does come with limitations. Because it relies on line-of-sight connections, physical obstructions can disrupt service. Atmospheric conditions such as heavy rain, fog, or dust storms may also interfere with light-based transmissions. That means the technology is unlikely to fully replace fiber or satellite solutions in all environments.
Even so, the Taara Beam could serve as a complementary option in regions where fiber rollout is delayed or where satellite internet may not offer sufficient performance. The company plans to showcase the device at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona in early March, potentially offering a closer look at how light-based internet could reshape connectivity infrastructure.