Bharti Airtel, India’s second-largest telecom operator, is reconsidering Taara as its primary choice for wireless backhaul technology. Taara, developed by Alphabet, Google’s parent company, was initially intended to be the backhaul for Airtel’s 4G/5G services. However, field trials revealed limitations, particularly in terms of efficiency during adverse weather conditions. Airtel found that Taara’s performance declines when weather conditions are unfavorable, and without sufficient backup from fiber and microwave networks, it may not deliver a satisfactory experience to customers in rural India.
Taara relies on laser beam technology to provide high-speed broadband services. Airtel was interested in using this technology to establish wireless backhaul for its networks, particularly in challenging terrains or areas where deploying fiber is difficult. An ET report suggests that additional field trials are necessary to evaluate the commercial and technical feasibility of Taara technology.
Bharti Airtel, aiming to expand rapidly in rural India, sees potential in technologies like Taara to provide quality services at a reduced cost. The telecom operator is collaborating with Alphabet in multiple locations across India to conduct extensive testing of the technology under various weather conditions. This approach allows Airtel to gain a comprehensive understanding of Taara’s capabilities and assess its practical viability.
It’s important to note that Airtel does not view Taara as the sole technology for backhaul but rather as a wireless backhaul solution, with fiber and microwave networks serving as backup to ensure uninterrupted and reliable network services for customers.
