Bridging the Layers: The UK’s Opportunity in Optical Wireless Communications
. The event brought together members of industry, academia and policy to discuss a case to advance optical wireless communications in the UK. Although the focus was on innovations and applications in the space industry, the discussion made clear that the path for optical wireless communications is much broader and could have considerable impact across industries.
The current landscape and potential of optical wireless communications
In the evolving landscape of global connectivity, the convergence of terrestrial, satellite, and underwater communications is opening up a new frontier—one where optical wireless technologies play a central role. These technologies offer a pathway to seamless, high-speed communication across all layers of our digital infrastructure. For the UK, this represents not just a technical challenge, but a strategic opportunity to lead.
Optical wireless communication is no longer a futuristic concept. Around the world, researchers are already demonstrating coherent optical links capable of delivering terabits per second, connecting buildings and infrastructure with unprecedented speed. Yet, despite this progress, we remain decades behind in optical development compared to radio frequency (RF) technologies. While RF has had over 80 years of refinement, optical systems are only beginning to show their full potential.
Optical frequencies are unlicensed and abundant. This opens the door to a range of innovations—from powering devices with solar panels while simultaneously receiving data, to creating resilient multipoint networks where a single point of failure doesn’t bring the system down. Indoors, optical bridges could enable terabit-level wireless connectivity, transforming how we think about 5G and beyond.
Scaling up Optical Wireless Communications
In space, optical communications are becoming essential for LEO satellite constellations, enabling high-throughput inter-satellite and feeder links. These systems offer natural resilience, though they come with their own set of vulnerabilities. Still, the market is growing rapidly—by some estimates, at a rate of 30–40% annually. The UK has a chance to carve out a leadership position, especially by focusing on growing Technology Readiness Level (TRL) innovations that can be scaled with the right support.
But scaling is not easy. One of the biggest hurdles is access to infrastructure. Ground stations are critical for testing capabilities, yet many UK innovators lack access to satellites or testbeds. The government could play a pivotal role here, not just as a funder, but as an early adopter and strategic investor, particularly in areas like quantum-secure communications.
The UK must develop a compelling case for government support—one that ties innovation to economic growth and national capability. This includes creating a vision that excites stakeholders, being clear about the risk and required investment. A clear funding structure that supports continuity, rather than short-term cycles, would go a long way in encouraging long-term innovation.
There is also a need to think strategically about interoperability. Off-the-shelf transceivers and modems can be repurposed to build modular systems, reducing costs and accelerating deployment in different use cases. But to do this effectively, we need a national strategy that aligns technical development with market needs.
Bringing stakehodelrs together is crucial
Industry and academia must articulate the strategic advantages, from export potential to national resilience. Half of the global market is already moving forward. If the UK wants to keep pace, it must act now.
For SMEs, the barriers to entry remain high. We need to identify which products are most viable and support their development through targeted funding and venture capital. But the UK’s financial ecosystem is not the same as in other countries. That’s why a top-down vision is so important. Without it, venture capital and other institutional investors will continue to chase return metrics rather than buy into missions.
A concrete taskforce, perhaps in collaboration with stakeholder groups and a direct link to Government decision-makers, could help shape a national strategy. This should feed into the current spending review and align with broader UK ambitions in space, quantum, and photonics.
The opportunity is real. The question is whether we can seize it.
