A new ultra-compact radio system from Stockholm-based startup TERASi promises high-speed, secure, and interference-resistant communications for defence, disaster response, and industrial operations, without the vulnerabilities of satellite services like Starlink.
A Sovereign Alternative to Satellite Networks?
Unveiled on 21 August 2025, the RU1 is being marketed as the world’s smallest and lightest millimetre-wave (mm-wave) radio with military-grade security. It’s designed to provide sovereign, high-speed backhaul in environments where traditional communications infrastructure is unavailable, unreliable, or compromised.
At a glance, the RU1 looks more like a ruggedised action camera than a piece of battlefield hardware. However, under the hood, it delivers gigabit-speed performance, extreme portability, and a mesh networking capability that could reshape how critical operations stay connected.
The Swedish firm behind the device, TERASi, says it’s built from the ground up to eliminate reliance on third-party providers, offering users full control over their own secure communications infrastructure.
What’s So Different About It?
While satellite services like SpaceX’s Starlink have played a vital role in recent conflicts and disaster responses, they can have some key vulnerabilities. For example, Elon Musk’s decision in 2022 to restrict Starlink coverage during a Ukrainian counteroffensive in Kherson drew widespread criticism. Ukrainian military operations reportedly lost access to real-time drone video, artillery guidance, and unit coordination as a result.
Speaking about those limitations, TERASi co-founder and CEO James Campion said: “The need for sovereign, independent connectivity has never been greater. Our mission is to give defence forces, disaster response teams, and critical industries the ability to create secure, high-capacity networks instantly, anywhere in the world, without relying on satellites or fixed infrastructure.”
Uses Focused Beams Above 60 GHz
The RU1 works by using highly focused directional beams operating above 60 GHz, i.e. a part of the mm-wave spectrum that allows for enormous data capacity and fast speeds. TERASi claims the device currently supports up to 10 Gbps with sub-5 millisecond latency. That’s around 50 times faster than Starlink’s average speed and over five times quicker in terms of response time.
These figures are crucial for scenarios such as live drone control, sensor fusion, and autonomous coordination, where split-second decisions and uninterrupted data flows can determine mission success.
Built for the Field, Not the Lab
One of RU1’s standout features is its deployability. For example, the radio can be mounted on a tripod or drone and configured in minutes. Each device links into a mesh network with others, extending range and resilience without the need for towers, satellites, or cables.
Campion has described it as “the GoPro of backhaul radios”, a deliberate analogy emphasising ease of use and rugged flexibility.
Also, RU1 is designed for off-grid use, with low energy requirements that allow it to run on batteries. This makes it ideal for field deployments where there’s no access to mains electricity or where speed is essential.
The underlying hardware is built on TERASi’s Aircore™ technology, a patented wafer-scale packaging system that allows miniaturisation of high-frequency components. According to the company, this makes RU1 up to 40 times smaller and 100 times lighter than equivalent mm-wave systems currently on the market.
Military, Emergency and Industrial Applications
Although the military sector is the most obvious early adopter, TERASi is also targeting civil and commercial sectors. In disaster relief, for example, RU1 could allow emergency teams to restore high-speed communications across damaged infrastructure almost instantly.
In heavy industry, it could enable temporary wireless networks on construction sites, remote mines, or offshore energy platforms, areas where fibre or satellite links are either too slow to deploy or cost-prohibitive.
The device is currently undergoing evaluation by several defence agencies and is being integrated into systems by tactical communications providers and drone manufacturers. TERASi is also working with system integrators to build end-to-end packages suitable for rapid deployment.
A Potential Challenge to Starlink’s Dominance?
While Starlink has made satellite internet far more accessible in remote areas, its scale and centralised control remain points of concern for sovereign users, i.e. organisations (e.g. governments, militaries, or national emergency services) that require full control over their own communications infrastructure, without relying on foreign-owned or third-party services. The reliance on a single commercial entity, especially one led by an individual as influential and, many would say (particularly after his work in Trump administration), as unpredictable as Elon Musk, has prompted growing debate in both defence and regulatory circles.
Starlink operates using low-frequency radio waves that cover footprints of up to 1,000 km, which may be good for reach, but could be easier to intercept or jam. In contrast, RU1’s laser-like beams create coverage areas as small as 3 km, making them far harder to detect or disrupt.
Campion has been clear about the contrast: “RU1 gives users control over their data and the freedom to build sovereign networks on-the-fly, changing the frontline paradigm from waiting on infrastructure to creating it instantly, from depending on external actors to self-sufficiency.”
However, it’s also clear that RU1 doesn’t aim to replace Starlink on every front. Its strength, for example, essentially lies in short-range, high-speed, secure communications, not global connectivity. In that sense, the two technologies are complementary, but for use cases where sovereignty and speed matter most, RU1 appears to offer distinct advantages.
Looking Beyond the Hype
Despite strong technical claims, RU1’s real-world performance still depends on further field testing and large-scale evaluations. TERASi has not yet confirmed full pricing, mass deployment timelines, or long-term interoperability with wider communications systems.
There are also practical considerations. mm-wave signals are highly directional and can be affected by obstructions or adverse weather. This means line-of-sight placement is likely to be essential, particularly in complex or changing environments.
To address these constraints, TERASi has focused on flexible, mesh-based deployment and drone-mounted coverage. This allows networks to adapt rapidly, reroute around obstacles, and maintain coverage in challenging terrain.
The company’s broader ambitions are also becoming clearer. With backing from the European Space Agency (ESA) on related satellite communications projects, TERASi is positioning itself as a strategic supplier of sovereign networking technologies designed to integrate across land and space-based systems.
Others
It should be noted that TERASi’s RU1 isn’t the only system of this kind. For example, in Finland, KNL Networks, a subsidiary of Telenor, is supplying encrypted manpack radios for long-range communication without relying on satellites. Recently selected by Finland and Sweden in a joint €15 million deal, the technology is being tested by NATO countries for defence scenarios where GPS and satellite signals may be lost or jammed.
Also, in Poland, Microamp is developing rapid-deployable mm-wave 5G “tactical bubbles” to deliver secure, mesh-based networks in mission-critical conditions. These are currently being trialled by NATO’s DIANA programme, with a focus on high-speed, short-range deployments similar to RU1’s.
Ukrainian startup Himera has also attracted international attention with its compact G1 Pro tactical radio, which uses frequency-hopping to resist electronic warfare and runs for up to 48 hours on battery power. The US Air Force is among the defence users currently evaluating the units.
Established defence suppliers Elbit Systems and Rohde & Schwarz also have software-defined radio systems (E-LynX and Soveron respectively) that are already in service with NATO forces. These provide secure, multi-hop communications and battlefield tracking, although they typically require larger form factors and more complex integration.
What Does This Mean For Your Business?
TERASi’s RU1 appears to challenge the idea that advanced, secure communications must rely on satellites or major infrastructure providers. By combining portability, speed and sovereignty in one device, TERASi appears to have created a tool that meets the operational demands of modern defence and emergency teams while also appealing to industries that need rapid, reliable connectivity on their own terms.
The main appeal here lies in control. Unlike Starlink, which has shown it can be restricted or overridden by its operator, RU1 offers users the ability to set up and manage their own high-speed networks independently. That distinction is likely to carry some weight in defence and civil protection, where communication failures can have serious consequences. The technical advantage of higher data rates, lower latency and strong anti-jamming capabilities adds further value for those needing secure performance in dynamic or hostile environments.
For UK businesses, particularly those in sectors like utilities, logistics, remote construction or energy, RU1 introduces the possibility of deploying temporary or semi-permanent high-capacity networks without reliance on local telecoms or satellite providers. That could reduce downtime, improve on-site operations, and enhance resilience in both planned and emergency scenarios. As pressure grows to secure digital infrastructure and keep data under tighter control, this kind of field-ready, self-managed solution could offer a practical alternative where traditional networks fall short.
However, there are still some unknowns here. For example, RU1’s effectiveness in complex or obstructed terrain will need to be proven in large-scale use, and long-term success will depend on integration, cost, and reliability under real conditions. But with geopolitical concerns rising and demand increasing for sovereign technology platforms, RU1 arrives at a time when many governments, organisations and businesses are actively looking for exactly this kind of autonomy.
