Singapore-based Transcelestial uses lasers to build affordable internet networks

Transcelestial The company is on a mission making the internet easier by creating a network made up of small, shoebox-sized devices which send lasers to each other to create a fibre-like network. The startup, which is based in Singapore, announced today that it raised $10 million to expand its wireless laser communication system across Indonesia, India and Malaysia. It plans to eventually launch its wireless fiber optics into space.

Airbus Ventures was the lead investor in Transcelestial’s A2 Round. Other participants included Wavemaker Ventures (Genes Alternative Ventures), Wavemaker Ventures, Cap Vista, Seeds Capital and Seeds Capital. In-Q Tel is a return investor. Transcelestial has now raised $24million since its inception in 2016. EDBI Entrepreneur First 500 Global SparkLabs Global Ventures Michael Seibel are some of Transcelestial’s previous backers.

TechCrunch’s CEO Rohit Jaha said that Mohammad Danesh and he believe “connectivity” is a human right and that their business and technical decisions are driven by improving the internet connection for at least a half a billion people.

According to the two, current internet infrastructure is what causes so much of people not having reliable internet access. It is expensive and can only connect two points. While Tier 1 cities have good coverage from terrestrial long-haul networks, smaller towns and cities are left behind. Last-mile and middle-mile distribution can be costly and pose right-of way issues.

Transcelestial laser communication systems eliminate underground cables that can be costly to set up and maintain. Radio-frequency devices with complicated licensing rules are also eliminated by Transcelestial. Jha stated that Transcelestial offers a lower price per bit. Transcelestial’s shoebox-sized devices, the CENTAURI, are already in use on South and South East Asian market.

Recently, the startup proved its laser technology was effective. can deliver 5G connectivity At the University of Technology Sydney, a demonstration was made. The next step is space. Transcelestial plans to bring its technology into a constellation of low-earth orbit (LEO), with the aim of using its wireless fiber optics directly from orbit in cities and downs.

It plans to expand its early access into the U.S. market, beyond Asia’s markets, in the interim. Research by Pew Trust The study found that just 27% and 2% respectively of the population in cities had no access to broadband internet. Transcelestial is looking to expand its reach into America by collaborating with telecoms, government and enterprises over the coming 12 months. Jha stated that the company has been working secretly with ISPs as well as a large enterprise cloud provider and data center firm on the West Coast.

Transcelestial has received funding from Transcelestial to help prepare Terabit Factory for any uncertainties that may arise in its supply chain. Trancelestial claims that the facility can produce up to 24,000 CENTAURI devices per year, making it the most powerful lasercomms manufacturer in the world.

Clayton Williams, In-Q-Tel’s managing director, stated that “Transcelestial’s laser communication platform CENTAURI (low cost, high-bandwidth terrestrial communications) is a first-in-class solution.” This capability will allow secure point-topoint communication between the U.S.A and other locations worldwide to be expanded. We are thrilled to support it.