The Dayton Innovation Legacy Continues: Introducing The Theia™ System, Fiberless Connectivity for All

Dayton, Ohio has long been a place where big ideas take flight. It’s the city where the Wright Brothers, from their humble bicycle shop, engineered the world's first successful flight, an achievement that forever changed how we connect and interact with each other.

‍

Our Roots

Today, that same spirit of bold innovation lives on right here in our labs at Dayton Photonics. We are proud to carry the torch and reimagine how the world connects once again.

Why do we do it? In this day and age broadband internet is no longer a luxury but a necessity, and we want to make sure everyone has access to it. Our mission is clear: we are ushering in a new era of connectivity by providing broadband to the most challenging places on Earth. 

‍

Our Tech

With Theia™, our revolutionary fiberless optics telecommunication system, we bring broadband where broadband traditionally can’t go. 

Think of it like this: Your internet connection typically reaches you through one of these primary methods:

• Fiber
  
  • Fiber optic cables deliver data via light signals through physical wires, setting the standard for speed and reliability. However, deploying fiber is incredibly expensive and labor-intensive. It requires extensive digging, permits, and can face insurmountable physical barriers like rivers, highways, or dense urban infrastructure. Trying to run fiber around a bustling railroad yard or across a wide river can quickly become a logistical and financial nightmare.
• Satellite
  
  • Satellite internet offers broad coverage, especially in remote areas where other options are scarce. Yet, it often struggles with high latency (the delay in data transmission due to the long distance to space and back), making real-time applications like video conferencing or online gaming challenging. Speeds can also be inconsistent and are generally much lower than fiber, often coming with data caps or higher monthly costs.
• Fixed Wireless
  
  • This technology transmits data wirelessly from a central tower to a receiver, usually on a home or business. While quicker to deploy than fiber, fixed wireless often requires clear line-of-sight, which can be obstructed by trees, buildings, or terrain. Furthermore, fixed wireless solutions are subject to FCC fees and licensing regulations, adding to the operational costs and administrative burden for providers. This means more complexity and expense for those trying to extend reliable internet service.

Enter Theia™. A solution that offers the best of all worlds, designed to circumvent these very challenges. Theia™ uses advanced free space optical communication (FSOC) technology, transmitting high-speed data through the air using invisible light waves.

Our patented beam steering technology ensures a stable and reliable connection even in challenging atmospheric conditions. The lasers automatically adjust to maintain optimal performance and unlike other wireless solutions, light waves are unregulated, eliminating those costly licensing fees.

With Theia™ you get incredible 10 Gbps speeds with low latency—speeds comparable to fiber, but without the digging, costs, permits, or physical limitations. Our compact unit weighs just 35 lbs, making deployment rapid and flexible, transforming remote locations or hard-to-reach areas into connected communities. Our lasers are also eye-safe and demonstrate no impact on wildlife, as proven by our active link at Carillon Historical Park here in Dayton, where a family of bald eagles nests.

‍

Our Purpose

At Dayton Photonics, our purpose is rooted in a fundamental belief: in our interconnected world, high-speed, reliable broadband internet is a right, not a privilege. 

Our mission is to democratize access, ensuring that everyone, everywhere, can participate fully in the digital economy, access vital services, and connect with their communities.

Our active links across historic Dayton—from the bell tower at Carillon Historical Park to the distinguished Lindsey Building, the Wright Brothers National Museum, and the University of Dayton—aren't just test sites. They are living proof of our commitment to this purpose. They demonstrate that Theia™ can seamlessly integrate into diverse environments, connecting challenging locations while respecting heritage and wildlife. 

Our commitment to real-world impact extends beyond Dayton. We're thrilled to be partnering with MetaLINK Technologies, a forward-thinking ISP, on a groundbreaking pilot project in Defiance, Ohio. Here, Theia™ units were successfully installed to enable a high-speed link, easily overcoming physical obstacles such as the Auglaize River and an active railroad line through town. The entire installation, from running fiber up the tower to final mounting, took MetaLINK’s professional crew just two hours – a true testament to the ease of deployment, not causing days or weeks of disruption. Designed to deliver robust, high-bandwidth, and low-latency connectivity, the Theia™ unit has already shown its incredible resilience against harsh weather. Even through tumultuous storms with nearby tornado warnings, the unit remained entirely stable, truly showcasing its robust capabilities in challenging conditions.

These local success stories are blueprints for a global impact.

We understand the immense pressure on ISPs to expand their reach into unserved and underserved areas, often constrained by fiber deployment costs or FWA's regulatory hurdles. We recognize the critical role government agencies play in bridging the digital divide, particularly with initiatives like BEAD funding, and how quickly deployable, cost-effective solutions are paramount—even for temporary deployments during emergency response, natural disasters, or large-scale events like concerts. We see the unique, high-bandwidth demands of large campuses like airports, and the transformative potential of reliable connectivity for Tribal Nations seeking self-sufficiency and economic growth.

Our purpose, therefore, is to empower these key stakeholders with our future-proof technology—a solution that overcomes the limitations of the past, accelerates deployment, reduces costs, and ultimately, unlocks the full potential of connectivity for communities worldwide. 

We're not just selling a system; we're providing the means to fulfill the promise of universal broadband. We hope you’ll join us in this mission.

‍

Discover the Future of Connectivity

If you want to learn how Theia™ can transform your network infrastructure and help you bridge communication gaps, contact us today for a demo or consultation. 

It's time to discover the power of fiberless optics and connect what was once unconnectable.