Taara, a graduate of X, Google’s Moonshot Factory, and StarTouch have partnered to launch carrier-grade communication to deliver high-capacity links at the speed of light, enabling rapid rollouts, route diversity, and significant cost efficiencies
Sunnyvale, CA – August 27, 2025 – Taara, a graduate of X, Google’s Moonshot Factory and a leader in high-capacity Wireless Optical Communications, and StarTouch, a subsidiary of Declaration Networks Group (DNG) and provider of connectivity solutions for enterprise, public sector, and carrier customers, today announced a strategic partnership to transform access to connectivity solutions across the United States.
The partnership marks Taara’s foray into enterprise use cases for its award-winning Taara Lightbridge technology, which is already being deployed to deliver high-speed connectivity in underserved communities where “middle mile” connectivity is a persistent challenge due to time and cost constraints. Taara Lightbridge works by sending data as beams of light between two points through the air, creating a high-speed, fiber-like connection without the need to lay physical cables. In urban and rural geographies alike, operators have deployed Taara Lightbridge across rivers, railroads, and rugged terrain to rapidly reach remote communities, as well as augment high-capacity 5G backhaul at congested cell sites and restore critical communications infrastructure in the aftermath of disasters or fiber cuts. Now, through its collaboration with StarTouch, Taara will offer the same benefits to industries such as manufacturing, automotive, retail, education, and other enterprise areas where deployment speed and network resilience are increasingly important.
Taara’s high-speed, ultra-low-latency wireless optical links will allow StarTouch to augment its hybrid network of licensed microwave and fiber infrastructure with next-generation Free Space Optical Communication, allowing it to offer its enterprise, public sector, and carrier customers fiber-like speeds wirelessly and true route diversity in a fraction of the time required for traditional deployments.
“We’ve used Taara Lightbridge to connect some of the most hard-to-reach places in the world using beams of light,” said Mahesh Krishnaswamy, Taara CEO. “Now we’re enabling StarTouch to offer that same speed, capacity, and resilience, unlocking new opportunities to deliver on customer applications. Together, we can change how entire industries think about deploying connectivity, from something that takes months of planning and construction to something that can be up and running within a matter of hours.”
Taara links achieve 20 Gbps bidirectional throughput with ultra-low latency, even over distances of up to 20 kilometers. The units weigh just 13 kilograms – a fraction of a typical microwave dish – and can be installed or redeployed by a single technician in just a few hours. Operating in unlicensed spectrum avoids lengthy licensing processes and eliminates recurring spectrum fees, while the small form factor reduces tower rental costs and lowers energy consumption.
DNG CEO Bob Nichols said, “A key part of our innovation strategy is leveraging Taara’s next-generation free space optics technology, which enables fiber-like speeds without the cost and delays of physical fiber installation. For our enterprise customers, this means rapid deployment, reduced construction costs, and the ability to connect hard-to-reach or disruption-prone locations in a fraction of the time.
StarTouch (DNG) already serves a large number of carrier and enterprise customers along the West Coast and Mid-Atlantic regions and as we look towards scaling our operations nationwide, Taara allows us to bring connectivity to not only the nation’s largest cellular carriers and enterprises but also to underserved communities faster, enabling access to education, healthcare, remote work, and other meaningful applications.”
StarTouch’s network already serves tier-one carriers and large enterprises with dedicated, fully managed services, and with Taara’s technology integrated into its offering, the company can now rapidly extend that performance to new sites, new markets, and new verticals.
ENDS
A blog from CEO Mahesh Krishnaswamy is available here: https://www.taaraconnect.com/post/delivering-lightspeed-resilience-for-carriers-and-enterprises
About Taara
Taara is a moonshot for connectivity, with a mission to extend and amplify the global communications network with beams of light. Born at X, Google’s Moonshot Factory, the team combines expertise across disciplines to tackle the world’s toughest connectivity challenges. Taara is now deploying wireless optical communications with industry partners in over a dozen countries, expanding access to fast, reliable connectivity. Learn more at www.taaraconnect.com.
About StarTouch
StarTouch is a subsidiary of Declaration Networks Group, Inc. (DNG), a recognized leader in diversified communications solutions and a six-time Inc. 5000 honoree as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies. For over 2 decades, StarTouch has been a trusted leader in delivering high-capacity fiber and licensed microwave, Internet and transport solutions across the United States. Serving carriers and large enterprises, StarTouch specializes in enterprise-grade, carrier-class connectivity through a robust portfolio that includes fiber, licensed microwave, and free space optics. With in-house engineering, rapid deployment capabilities, and 24/7 network monitoring, StarTouch ensures reliable last-mile connectivity and seamless performance.
PR Archives: Latest, By Company, By Date