Airtel-Alphabet deal on laser tech runs into rough weather

Bharti Airtel’s plans to use Google parent Alphabet’s laser internet technology, Taara, to support its 4G and 5G operations in India has hit an air pocket.

The Sunil Mittal-led telecom operator is not convinced about the effectiveness of using Taara as a wireless backhaul technology commercially in India, two people aware of the matter said.

This is because ongoing field trials have indicated that the tech, which uses light beams to deliver fast broadband, may not work efficiently in inclement weather in rural and hard-to-reach places, the people said. That could affect the mobile broadband experience for 4G/5G users. Airtel insiders believe more extensive joint field trials are required to assess the technical and commercial viability of the tech.