Alphabet has introduced the Taara chip, a cutting-edge silicon photonic chip that utilizes light beams to deliver high-speed internet. This fingernail-sized innovation, announced by Taara General Manager Mahesh Krishnaswamy, aims to lower costs and accelerate the deployment of high-speed connectivity, particularly in remote and underserved areas.

Building on Alphabet’s Lightbridge technology—previously the size of a traffic light—the Taara chip eliminates bulky mechanical components by relying entirely on software-driven automatic beam steering. This advancement enhances efficiency and simplifies deployment.

Developed under X, Alphabet’s moonshot division, Taara’s optical wireless technology originated from Project Loon, a now-defunct initiative that aimed to provide internet access via high-altitude balloons. Despite Loon’s closure in 2021, Taara has continued innovating, successfully beaming internet across the Congo River and urban centers like Nairobi.

The system employs ultra-narrow, invisible light beams to transmit data at speeds of up to 20 Gbps over distances of 20 kilometers (12.1 miles), functioning similarly to fiber-optic cables but without the need for extensive physical infrastructure.

Unlike traditional fiber networks, which require months or even years to install, Taara’s units can be set up in just days, making them a cost-effective solution for regions where cable installation is impractical.

During lab testing, Alphabet engineers achieved 10 Gbps speeds over a one-kilometer distance using two Taara chips. The team is now focused on increasing the chip’s capacity and range by scaling up to thousands of light emitters.

The first commercial version of the Taara chip is expected to launch by 2026.