Swedish startup unveils Starlink alternative — that Musk can’t switch off

A new pocket-sized Starlink alternative promises secure military communications — safe from interference by billionaire CEOs.

The system, named the RU1, was unveiled today by Swedish startup TERASi. It’s billed as the world’s smallest and lightest mm-Wave radio, a form of communications that offers blazing-fast speeds and huge bandwidth.

James Campion, the CEO and co-founder of TERASi, describes the portable device as “the GoPro of backhaul radios.”

“RU1 can be deployed in minutes to keep units connected in fast-changing environments,” Campion told TNW. The devices, he continued, can be installed on tripods or drones. Multiple RU1s can then link into a resilient mesh, providing bandwidth for mission-critical applications such as live drone video, autonomous fleet control, and sensor data fusion.

“The RU1 gives users complete control over their communications by creating a secure, high-speed network that they own and operate themselves, without input from third-party providers like Starlink that can be switched off or restricted remotely, as the 2022 incident in Ukraine showed all too clearly,” said Campion.

Battlefield performance

TERASi, a spinout from Stockholm’s KTH Royal Institute of Technology, also distinguishes the RU1 from Starlink in performance. The device uses highly focused antennas with very narrow, “laser-like” beams that are extremely difficult to jam or intercept. The beams reduce interception risks by creating small ground footprints of less than 3km.

Source: Swedish startup unveils Starlink alternative — that Musk can’t switch off

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