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Using Taara’s wireless optical networking tech, two drones can establish a birectional connection over multiple kilometres, allowing the operator to bypass damaged sections of its network
This week, Vodafone has announced it is piloting a new drone solution aimed at helping networks stay operational in the event of cable damage.
The drones, operating in pairs and equipped with wireless optical technology from the Taara Project, aim to provide a wireless bridge across damaged network infrastructure. The Taara terminals themselves include a mirrors and sensors that point, acquire, and track beams of visual light, which is delivering data point-to-point.
Vodafone says it has completed a success trial of this technology in Seville, Spain, which saw one drone tethered to a mobile mast and another tethered to a Vodafone data transport hub 3km away.
Little detail was given about the quality of the ‘temporary connection’ achieved by this pilot project, but in tests back in 2021, Taara’s optical technology was shown to be capable of delivering bidirectional throughput of up to 20Gbps at a range of up to 20km.
Vodafone says that the drone solution’s versatility lies in its speed of deployment, making it ideal for quickly responding to cable breaks from construction or vandalism. It could also be a useful option for providing emergency connectivity in the event of natural disasters.
Taara itself suggests its technology has far broader applicability, such as establishing connections across difficult terrain, such as across rivers and sea straits, and connecting areas where terrestrial infrastructure may not be permitted, like national parks. In these more permanent deployments, deploying the Taara equipment directly on suitable fixed infrastructure will likely be preferred if available.
Further details of the partnership are expected to be shared at this year’s Mobile World Congress event.
The Taara Project is a product of X (previously Google X), part of Google’s so-call ‘mooshot factory’ that also produced the now defunct Loon connectivity platform project.
Taara’s technology is already being used by a handful of operators worldwide, including Bharti Airtel in India, Digicel in various parts of the Pacific, and T-Mobile in the USA.
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