TECH – Swedish startup TERASi has introduced the RU1, a compact, high-speed mm-wave radio envisioned as a secure alternative to Starlink for critical communications. Suited for military, disaster response, and industrial applications, the device enables rapid, resilient connectivity without reliance on third-party providers.
Co-founder and CEO James Campion likened its portability and convenience to action cameras, calling RU1 the “GoPro of backhaul radios.” Field deployable within minutes on tripods or unmanned aerial vehicles, the RU1 units interconnect in a mesh network, supporting essential applications such as live drone feeds, autonomous vehicle coordination, and real-time sensor data processing.
Security is a defining strength of the RU1. It operates using tightly focused, laser-like beams, producing ground footprints under three kilometers—making them challenging to jam or intercept. This contrasts sharply with Starlink’s broader, lower-frequency coverage, which spans approximately 1,000 km and is more susceptible to external interference.
From a performance standpoint, RU1 delivers up to 10 Gbps today, with plans to reach 20 Gbps in future iterations. It also boasts ultra-low latency—under five milliseconds—suitable for mission-critical applications like drone detection and tracking.
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A pivotal advantage lies in user ownership and operation. Unlike Starlink, RU1 networks aren’t controlled by external entities, preventing remote shutdowns—an issue highlighted by disconnections during the 2022 Ukraine conflict. Campion emphasized, “RU1 gives users complete control … without input from third-party providers like Starlink that can be switched off or restricted remotely.”
Beyond military use, RU1 is being trialed for field-deployable, high-speed connectivity in disaster zones and remote industrial sites—filling the gap when satellite links or fiber optics are unavailable or slow. TERASi, spun out from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, has already made RU1 available to defense agencies and is collaborating with tactical comms and drone manufacturers.
Campion sees RU1 not as a replacement for Starlink, but a complementary tool: “Satellite communication services like Starlink offer wide area coverage… RU1 gives users control over their data and the freedom to build sovereign networks on-the-fly.” By democratizing secure, high-bandwidth connectivity at the tactical edge, RU1 is poised to redefine frontline communications—from dependency on fixed infrastructure to instant self-sufficiency.
Source: thenextweb.com
