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10 to 100 Times Faster than a Starlink Antenna, and Cheaper Than Fiber: Taara Unveils a Laser Internet That Could Shatter the Status Quo (dailygalaxy.com)

submitted 1 week ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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[-] [email protected] 5 points 1 week ago

Do you mean the tech that has existed since forever ago and that was replaced by microwaves?

[-] [email protected] -5 points 1 week ago

Asked cgpt to compare lasers to microwave for data transmission; take with a grain of salt, but seems transfer rate especially isn't comparable.

🔄 Comparison: Laser vs Microwave Data Transmission

📋 Comparison Table

Feature	Laser Transmission (e.g., Taara)	Microwave Transmission
Medium	Free-space optical (light, like a fiber-optic cable without fiber)	Radio/microwave frequencies (GHz range)
Wavelength	~780–1600 nm (near-infrared)	~1–100 GHz
Typical Data Rate	10–100 Gbps (Taara targets ~20 Gbps and higher)	100 Mbps – 1 Gbps (modern line-of-sight microwave)
Max Practical Range	~10–20 km, highly sensitive to weather	~30–50 km, more tolerant of weather
Line-of-Sight Requirement	Yes, with tight beam alignment needed	Yes, but more forgiving alignment
Weather Sensitivity	High — fog, rain, dust degrade performance	Moderate — heavy rain can attenuate signal
Latency	Low	Low
Power Usage	Lower power for same data rate	Slightly higher power use
Security	High — narrow beam, hard to intercept	Moderate — wider beam, easier to jam or intercept
Deployment	Harder — requires precision mounting and stability	Easier — flexible mounting, ruggedized equipment
Cost	Higher upfront (optical gear, alignment systems)	Lower per-unit, mature market
Use Cases	High-throughput backhaul (rural, terrain-constrained areas)	Medium-throughput links, often as telco backbone

📌 Key Insights

Bandwidth: Lasers have a much higher data capacity, similar to fiber optics. Microwave is far more limited in throughput.
Range: Microwave wins in raw distance, particularly in less-than-ideal weather. Lasers struggle with any visibility obstruction.
Stability: Lasers require precision alignment and environmental stability (wind, vibration can disrupt link). Microwaves are more forgiving.
Security: Lasers are harder to intercept due to their tight beams. Microwaves, being broader, are more vulnerable to eavesdropping and interference.

🧠 When to Use What

Use Laser Links (e.g., Taara) when:

You need fiber-like throughput without laying fiber
The link is short to medium range (under 20 km)
You can ensure clear line-of-sight and good weather conditions
You prioritize security and low interference

Use Microwave Transmission when:

You need a reliable, moderate-speed link over 30–50 km
Operating in all weather conditions is a must
You want easier setup with more flexibility in alignment
Budget constraints are tighter

[-] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago

Sooooo... microwave is still better, got it.

[-] [email protected] 2 points 1 week ago* (last edited 1 week ago)

It is misrepresenting the facts quite a bit. I think microwave links might be able to do a bit more bandwidth. And laser can do way more than ChatGPT attributes to it. It can do 1 or 2.5 Gbps as well. The main thing about optics is that it comes without electromagnetic interference. And you don't need to have a fresnel zone without obstacles, and you don't need a license. The other things about laser being more susceptible to weather, etc should be about right. (And I don't know a lot about cost and alignment, so I don't really know if that's accurate and substancially more effort for lasers. They sure both cost some money and you have to point both at the receiver.)

this post was submitted on 27 May 2025

143 points (98.0% liked)

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