Liquid Intelligent Technologies Deploys Light-Beam Technology to Bridge Lagos Fibre Gaps
Liquid Intelligent Technologies is deploying light-beam technology developed by Google spinout Taara to provide connectivity to data centres and large enterprise networks in Lagos, addressing the high costs and delays associated with laying underground fibre across densely populated urban corridors.
The deployment currently includes nearly 12 live optical links serving banks, hotels and utilities across commercial districts, demonstrating how optical technology can complement traditional physical infrastructure in areas where trenching cables is impractical.
High-capacity bandwidth is being distributed directly from points of presence at Africa Data Centres and other facilities in Lagos to enterprises located beyond the reach of fibre cables.
According to Liquid, the technology is helping to reduce network downtime in areas where physical cable cuts can take days to repair. The rollout follows a two-year deployment by the company aimed at strengthening network resilience for local internet service providers.
Nigeria remains one of the largest economies on the continent, with Lagos serving as its primary commercial hub. Expanding network infrastructure across densely populated urban environments therefore requires operators to combine multiple technologies.
Using focused beams of light transmitted through the air, the technology enables operators to establish links within days rather than weeks, complementing existing physical networks.
Liquid is now assessing potential expansion of the technology into Abuja, Ibadan and Kano.
“For Liquid, deployment speed has been one of the most significant advantages,” said Eugene Uka, acting chief executive officer of Liquid Intelligent Technologies Nigeria.
He added: “Traditional fibre deployments are not always a possibility, especially across difficult terrains. Taara links can often be installed and activated within hours, allowing Liquid to fulfil its mission to create a digitally connected future that leaves no African behind.”
Bhavesh Mistry, regional lead for Taara in Africa, said that growing demand for connectivity required operators to have greater flexibility in expanding and reinforcing their networks.
“Fibre remains an essential part of modern communications infrastructure, and will for some time, but there are many situations where deploying fibre quickly or cost-effectively can be difficult. Wireless optical communication gives operators another tool to extend capacity, reach customers faster, and build more resilient networks without compromising performance,” he said.
The Taara Lightbridge system provides up to 20 gigabits per second of capacity across distances of up to 20 kilometres using invisible light beams.
The platform eliminates the need for trenching, spectrum licensing and extensive civil engineering work. Taara claims that its system is active in more than 20 countries with telecommunications operators, including T-Mobile, Airtel, Digicel, Liquid and SoftBank.
About The Author
