Click Here Internet at the speed of light
Oct 10, 2025
Mahesh Krishnaswamy, an engineer and entrepreneur behind Taara/Terra, dives into the futuristic concept of laser-based internet. He shares his journey from experiencing limited online access in Chennai to innovating high-speed connectivity with light beams. Discover how his work at Google X shaped his vision and how Terra connections can quickly restore services after disasters, like in Puerto Rico post-Hurricane Maria. He also tackles competition challenges and shares amusing stories about wildlife causing outages. A fascinating look at bridging connectivity gaps!
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Laser-Based Ground Links
- Taara transmits high-speed data using narrow laser beams over the air, offering fiber-optic speed without fiber.
- Mahesh says this delivers internet at the speed of light with very low latency and low cost.
From Internet Cafe To Engineering Career
- Mahesh grew up in Chennai and first used the web at an internet cafe via a slow modem, which shaped his curiosity.
- That early access led him to pursue education abroad and ultimately a technical career in the U.S.
Moonshot Lessons From Project Loon
- Mahesh worked on Project Loon at Google X and tested stratospheric balloons to bring connectivity.
- He found balloons couldn't reach Chennai and this failure spurred thinking about ground-based alternatives.