Today, the amount of communication tools at our disposal feels limitless. I can text my international friends with WhatsApp, video chat with my mom using Skype, and let the whole world know how downright tasty this cake is with Instagram. However, our communication infrastructure is limited and in dire need of bandwidth. According to David Goldman of CNN Money, “Wireless spectrum — the invisible infrastructure over which all wireless transmissions travel — is a finite resource. When, exactly, we’ll hit the wall is the subject of intense debate, but almost everyone in the industry agrees that a crunch is coming.” How will we solve the “spectrum crunch?” Atlanta’s own, Fog Optics has patented the world’s first and only laser communications technology that is reliable in fog to do just that.

Put simply, the demand for bandwidth is rapidly outpacing supply and the cost to add additional bandwidth is becoming increasingly expensive. Recently, AT&T spent $2.76 billion in NYC for spectrum. According to Fog Optics Cofounder Austin Smith, “No one can manufacture new frequencies to communicate with and digging to lay more cable often isn’t an option. This is why Free Space Optical (FSO) communications has been offered to operate at a special, lower standard for reliability to meet the growing bandwidth needs. The problem has been no one can meet even a lowered standard (4-9s, 99.99% up-time) in adverse weather at backhaul distances until now. Fog Optics can enable FSO links to perform at an unmodified reliability standard of 5 9’s (99.999% uptime).”

Fog Optics’ video explaining Fog Laser™

Their flagship product, Fog Laser™ is the world’s only communication laser platform to deliver fiber-like reliability in adverse weather like fog, smog, clouds, smoke, snow, & scintillation. What does this mean for companies like AT&T and Verizon? “With a new bandwidth option, telecoms can restructure their networks, giving the first adopters a competitive advantage in densely-populated, high-value markets where no more spectrum is available,” claims Smith. Not to mention, NASA and the military are also interested in this exciting new technology.

Founded by John Cabaniss, Steven Jefferson, Austin Smith, and Robert Millar, each one of Fog Optics’ founders brings a different expertise to the table. “As a laser physicist, John was always aware of the numerous efforts of telecommunications to put lasers into commercial use carrying data over the air. He figured out how deal with the atmosphere first and foremost then he followed up by creating a new system,” recalls Smith. “Steven and I had always talked about being entrepreneurs. When John came to Steven and asked him for help, Steven vetted and quickly reached out to Robert and myself for our expertise. The business concept and opportunity fell into place naturally,” he says.

As Atlanta residents, they are proud to be located in Georgia’s capital. “Atlanta is a nexus for new technology and people in the area are keenly aware of the needs of telecommunications, thanks largely to the GA Tech & AT&T presences. (Our) new system could have been developed anywhere in the world, but the people to best bring this product to market are right here in Georgia,” says Smith. “TiE and the Atlanta Tech Village have been great resources that are helping us actuate our company and connect with key people.”

The opportunity for Fog Optics is ripe. In 2013, the Free Space Optics market reached $34 million. With the reliability and distance of a Fog Laser™ enabled link, FSO manufacturers now have a competitive advantage to pursue the lucrative Mobile Backhaul market, which is expected to reach $9.7 billion by 2016. Look out for them to make a big impact on America’s communication infrastructure in 2015.

Follow Fog Optics on:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/fog-optics

{Photo- John Cabaniss}