Satellite laser connections can eliminate the need for undersea cables

The Internet, as we know it today, relies on a vast network of undersea cables to transmit data around the world. These cables are buried deep in the ocean, where they are protected from the elements and interference from other signals. However, submarine cables are expensive and time consuming to lay, and can be vulnerable to damage from natural disasters or human activity.

In recent years, there has been increasing interest in using lasers to transmit data between satellites in space. This technology, known as laser communications, offers a number of advantages over traditional submarine cables. Lasers can transmit data at much higher speeds and are not susceptible to interference from other signals. Furthermore, laser communications can be implemented more easily and quickly than submarine cables.

There are a number of companies that are developing laser communication technologies for use on satellites. One of the leading companies in this field is Kymeta, which has developed a satellite terminal that can receive and transmit data at speeds of up to 100 gigabits per second. Kymeta’s technology is already being used by the US military, and the company plans to launch its first commercial satellite constellation in 2024.

And there are more companies doing similar work, hoping that the future of intercontinental communications will shift from undersea cables to satellites, offering speeds greater than 1 terabit per second.

The development of laser communication technologies is a huge step forward for the Internet. Lasers offer the potential to revolutionize the way we communicate and share data. In the future, laser communication could replace undersea cables as the backbone of the Internet. This would make the Internet faster, more reliable, and more secure.

Laser communication works by using lasers to transmit data between two points. Lasers are focused into a beam that travels through air or space. The beam is then received by a detector at the other end, which converts the light back into data.

Laser communication is much faster than traditional radio communication. This is because lasers can transmit data at much higher frequencies. Radio waves typically operate at frequencies of a few megahertz, while lasers can operate at frequencies as low as a few gigahertz. This means that laser communication can transmit data at speeds up to 100 times faster than radio communication.

Laser communication is also more secure than traditional radio communication. This is because lasers are very narrow beams of light. This makes it difficult for spies to intercept the data being transmitted. Additionally, lasers can be used to encrypt data being transmitted, making it even more secure.

There are a number of advantages to using laser communication over traditional submarine cables. First, laser communication is much faster. Submarine cables typically transmit data at speeds of a few gigabits per second, while laser communication can transmit data at speeds of up to 1 terabit per second. This makes laser communication ideal for applications that require high-speed data transmission, such as video streaming and gaming.

Second, laser communication is more secure. Submarine cables are vulnerable to damage from natural disasters and human activity. Laser communication, on the other hand, is much harder to disrupt. This makes it ideal for applications that require a high degree of security, such as government communications, financial transactions, etc…

Third, laser communication is more flexible. Submarine cables are fixed in place, which means they can be difficult to upgrade or repair. Laser communication, on the other hand, can be easily and quickly reconfigured. This makes it ideal for applications that require a dynamic network, such as mobile phone networks and disaster recovery networks.

There are a number of factors that are driving the growth of laser communication. First, the demand for high-speed data transmission is increasing. This is being driven by the growth of video streaming, gaming, and other bandwidth-intensive applications.

And secondly, the cost of laser communication technology is decreasing. This makes it more affordable for businesses and consumers to adopt laser communication.

Not long ago, a test was carried out in Switzerland by scientists from the ETH in Zurich, between two points 53 km distant, and they achieved a transmission speed of 100 terabits per second.

And we must be clear that as the demand for laser communication increases and the cost of the technology decreases, we can expect to see even more widespread adoption of laser communication in the years to come.

It’s all about time.