For decades, engineers and entrepreneurs have been trying to make wireless optical communication a viable commercial reality, particularly as a solution to last-mile connectivity challenges.
A company called Attochron, after years of development, has closed $15 million in funding and has partnered with Lumen for a proof of concept, and has started production of wireless, laser-based optical transmission hardware.
They are not the first to bring this type of technology to market. Google’s Taara is a similar technology that has been deployed in certain international locations.
The company says the product will cost 30,000 dollars and will deliver 10 gig speeds.
Deploying this type of connection, the company says, would be faster than installing a cable, and there is no regulatory approval required.
Targeting business
With a still-high cost, and speeds that may exceed what a consumer needs, Attochron says they are targeting business right now. Serivce providers would sell the links, the equipment would be installed, and companies would pay a monthly service fee for the connection.