The digital landscape is vast and interconnected, yet millions remain on the fringes, unable to access the high-speed internet that has become a staple of modern life. This is due to a missing link in the broadband network, known as the "last-mile" problem. This final stretch, which should connect users to the internet's backbone, is often prohibitively expensive or logistically challenging to establish, particularly in rural and remote regions. However, a potential solution lies in a technology known as Free-Space Optics (FSO), which utilizes laser beams to transmit data through the atmosphere.

This method, first developed by NASA in the 1960s, has long been touted as a revolutionary approach to internet infrastructure. Despite its promise, FSO has been hampered by the unpredictable nature of weather conditions, which can easily disrupt the signal. The technology requires a clear, direct line of sight between the sender and receiver, which fog, rain, and even minor air turbulence can compromise.

Introducing Attochron: A Leap Forward in FSO Technology

A Virginia-based company, Attochron, after over two decades of research and development, claims to have overcome these obstacles. They have recently completed a $15 million funding round and are preparing to launch their flagship product, the ALTIS-7, which includes both a receiver and a transmitter. This hardware, reminiscent of a security camera, is designed to operate effectively in adverse weather conditions. Attochron has partnered with telecommunications giant Lumen and a major retailer for a three-month trial to demonstrate the capabilities of their technology. The trial involved a laser link spanning 1.5 miles at a speed of 1.25 Gigabits per second, with the potential to reach speeds over 10 Gigabits—competitive with the fastest fiber-optic connections.

The Journey to Commercialization

Attochron's path to this point has been long and arduous. Founded in 2002, the company has faced numerous setbacks, including the aftermath of the dot-com bubble. CEO Tom Chaffee describes the company's early years as a testament to perseverance, with funding sometimes as low as $50,000 or $100,000 per year to cover all expenses. This period of hardship allowed Attochron to build a deep understanding of FSO physics and assemble a team dedicated to overcoming the long odds.

In 2012, Chaffee relocated the company to Lexington, Virginia, a region known for its challenging weather conditions, which are ideal for testing FSO technology. He explains that while clear days might seem ideal, they can actually be the most difficult for laser propagation due to minor atmospheric variations affecting the laser beam.

Innovative Solutions to Persistent Problems

Attochron's technology introduces two key innovations to the field of laser data transmission. Firstly, it uses extremely short pulses of light, rather than a continuous beam, which increases stability. Secondly, it employs a broad spectrum of light, as opposed to a narrow one, enhancing signal reliability. These breakthroughs have led to a portfolio of approximately 60 to 70 granted patents, with over 200 more pending.

Attochron is not alone in its pursuit of FSO technology. In the early 2000s, Terabeam garnered attention with similar ambitions, though it ultimately failed to bring its product to market. Alphabet, Google's parent company, is also developing a laser-based broadband project named Taara, which showed promise in 2021 but has yet to be commercialized.

The Advantages of Laser Connectivity

According to Chaffee, the benefits of using lasers to bridge the last mile are manifold. It is more cost-effective than laying fiber-optic cables, with an Attochron hardware package costing $30,000 for a 10 Gigabit link, compared to the $250,000 to $1 million range for fiber infrastructure. Additionally, there is no need for lengthy regulatory processes before installation, and deployment can be achieved in hours, not months.

While the high-speed connectivity offered by Attochron is beyond the reach of most individuals, businesses are the target market. Attochron plans to sell the links to broadband providers and carriers, who will then install them and charge a monthly fee to businesses that require such high-speed connections.

Broader Applications and Future Prospects

Attochron is also exploring applications beyond corporate connectivity, such as military use, where the direct transmission between two points ensures security, and in areas with limited radio capacity, like near airports. Experts in the field, such as Hazem Refai from the University of Oklahoma, recognize the potential of FSO, citing the lack of need for FCC licensing and the simplicity of setting up a direct laser link.

James Osborn, a professor at Durham University, acknowledges the sound theoretical basis of Attochron's technology but raises questions about its complexity and the practical limits of the speeds it can achieve. However, he also notes the advantages in data security and its potential to effectively bridge the last mile.

Chaffee emphasizes that Attochron does not aim to replace existing technologies but to complement them. "It's an enabling technology, not a replacement technology," he states. As the world watches, Attochron's FSO technology may indeed prove to be the solution that finally connects the unconnected.