LiFi Rewind 2025
The year 2025 marked a pivotal moment for Light Fidelity (LiFi) technology, with unprecedented developments spanning defence applications, record-breaking speeds, space communications, and global market expansion. Here's a comprehensive look at every major LiFi milestone that shaped the industry throughout the year.
January: Defense Partnerships and Presidential Recognition
The year opened with significant momentum as Intelligent Waves (IW) partnered with Signify to develop LiFi communication technology for the Department of Defense, highlighting the military's growing interest in secure optical wireless communications.
In a remarkable display of technological advancement, LiFi technology, alongside Proteus and TEC800 Robot systems, was presented during the President of the Republic's New Year wishes ceremony, showcasing the technology's recognition at the highest levels of government.
February: Global Exhibitions and Internet Innovation
February witnessed pureLiFi announcing their participation in Mobile World Congress 2025, signaling the company's commitment to showcasing LiFi capabilities on the world's largest mobile technology stage.
Google's Taara project captured global attention as it aimed to usher in a new era of internet connectivity powered by light, demonstrating the tech giant's confidence in optical wireless technologies. Meanwhile, LiFi Infinity shared valuable insights from their real-world LiFi installations in residential and office environments across Nigeria, proving the technology's viability in emerging markets.
March: Record Speeds and Industry Recognition
March delivered spectacular technological achievements, with Titan Telecoms Hub demonstrating LiFi's incredible potential by achieving ultra-fast data rates exceeding 100 Gbps using wavelength division multiplexing (WDM) systems with high-brightness, high-bandwidth laser sources.
pureLiFi demonstrated how LiFi technology could enhance broadband services for global telecom companies and consumers, while Alphabet made the strategic decision to spin off its laser-based internet project from its 'moonshot' innovation hub.
The month also brought recognition for industry players, with Intelligent Waves being awarded Most Innovative Cybersecurity Company in the 2025 Cybersecurity Excellence Annual Awards Competition. However, the industry faced challenges as LVX Systems filed for bankruptcy, marking a significant setback for the St. Cloud-based company.
April: Healthcare Applications and Innovation Milestones
April showcased LiFi's expanding applications as Oledcomm celebrated key milestones in their France 2030 Innovation Journey, highlighting the French government's support for optical wireless technologies.
The healthcare sector embraced LiFi technology when NHS Digital shared a compelling case study from The North West Ambulance Service, demonstrating practical applications of LiFi and IoT devices in ambulance stations, where electromagnetic interference-free communications proved crucial.
May: Academic Research and Security Breakthroughs
The academic sector advanced LiFi research significantly when TU Munich Lab integrated LiFi technology with AeroLiFi kits for 6G research, bridging current optical wireless capabilities with next-generation mobile networks.
In the Netherlands, Signify achieved a world first by using LiFi technology to establish a fully functional, secure, and interference-free optical connection between a ground station, telescope, and operational container, proving the technology's reliability in critical infrastructure applications.
Students at Birla Divya Jyoti celebrated World Telecommunication Day through hands-on demonstrations of LiFi technology, contributing to educational awareness and technology transfer.
June: Security Standards and Defence Innovation
June marked a watershed moment for LiFi security when Signify's Trulifi 6004 became the world's first LiFi system to include a FIPS 140-3 validated cryptographic engine, establishing unprecedented standards for wireless data security.
pureLiFi unveiled their Kitefin XE, the next-generation LiFi system specifically designed for secure communications in defence and beyond, further cementing LiFi's position in military applications.
Oledcomm partnered with Dassault Aviation to demonstrate LiFi technology at the International Paris Air Show 2025, showcasing optical wireless capabilities in the aerospace sector. Additionally, Du and pureLiFi announced their Bridge XC collaboration to revolutionise outdoor Customer Premises Equipment (CPE) deployment.
July: Display Technology Integration
Scientists achieved a remarkable breakthrough in July, reaching record 4 Gbps internet speeds using OLED display technology, opening new possibilities for integrating LiFi capabilities directly into everyday display devices and screens.
August: Educational Initiatives and Global Expansion
Kyocera launched educational initiatives, teaching fundamental concepts about timing technologies, while Turkmenistan began exploring the transition to LiFi technology, indicating growing global interest in optical wireless communications.
September: Leadership Changes and Strategic Roadmaps
September brought significant industry developments as Kyocera expanded their educational efforts by teaching the basics of LiFi technology, contributing to broader market understanding.
The industry experienced a major leadership transition when pureLiFi CEO Alistair Banham announced his retirement after pioneering a decade of innovation in LiFi technology. This change marked the end of an era for one of the industry's most influential figures.
The UK government released a comprehensive Telecoms Roadmap placing photonics at the core of future networks, signaling strong governmental support for optical wireless technologies.
October: Global Recognition and Record Achievements
October highlighted LiFi's global potential when Professor Harald Haas, the "Father of LiFi," discussed the transformative potential of optical wireless technology in bridging India's connectivity divide, emphasising the technology's role in emerging markets.
OLEDCOMM positioned itself at the forefront of defence innovation through participation in major industry events, while cutting-edge defence technologies, including advanced LiFi systems, were showcased at BASCON 2025.
The month delivered another technical breakthrough with laser-based LiFi technology achieving a record 70 Gb/s data transfer rate, pushing the boundaries of optical wireless performance.
Taara Lightbridge and StarTouch announced their partnership to revolutionise U.S. enterprise connectivity through Free Space Optics, delivering up to 20 Gbps over 20 kilometres using only 40 watts of power.
Nav Wireless Technologies showcased comprehensive LiFi and Free Space Optics (FSO) solutions at Comms Connect Melbourne 2025, while Professor Harald Haas received the honour of being named Ambassador by Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg.
November: Research Centres and Industry Collaboration
November witnessed the establishment of significant research initiatives as the LiFi Research and Development Centre (LRDC) announced the Federated Telecoms Hubs (FTH) Advanced Connectivity Showcase, representing a landmark event for the UK's telecommunications sector.
pureLiFi Co-Founder and CPTO, Dr. Mostafa Afgani, was selected as a speaker at ISA GALiFiS on Optical Wireless Innovation, sharing expertise with the global research community.
OLEDCOMM demonstrated LiFi defence applications at European Defence Week 2025, while To Be Srl showcased the integration of health-focused lighting with LiFi ultra-secure optical wireless connectivity.
The month also saw OLEDCOMM presenting optical communication innovations at major space industry events in Dubai and Bremen, expanding LiFi's presence in aerospace applications.
In a significant industry development, Ravinia Capital launched a global search for buyers of LVX SYSTEMS' LiFi/VLC patent portfolio following the company's bankruptcy.
Oledcomm achieved a major milestone by being selected by the French National Space Agency (CNES) to develop inter-satellite optical communications services through their LUCI project. The industry also analysed the dramatic fall of LVX System, which went from a $100 million valuation to bankruptcy, providing crucial lessons for the sector.
December: Space Innovation and Industry Insights
December concluded the year with significant space-related developments as Oledcomm CEO was interviewed by LiFi Tech News about the LUCI Project, providing insights into inter-satellite optical communications.
The UK Space Agency injected £17 million to propel next-generation space innovation and connectivity, while the UK and Germany deepened technological ties with a £14 million boost to unlock quantum potential.
Oledcomm appeared on the BFM Business Podcast Tech & Co, increasing public awareness of LiFi technology applications.
The year concluded with IMDEA Networks showcasing their LiFi and 6G research labs to 60 students, ensuring the next generation of engineers and researchers understand the potential of optical wireless communications.
Industry Impact and Future Outlook
The year 2025 proved transformative for LiFi technology, with achievements spanning record-breaking speeds of over 100 Gbps, FIPS 140-3 security validation, space communications development, and widespread adoption across defence, healthcare, aerospace, and telecommunications sectors. From presidential recognition to global research initiatives, LiFi technology has evolved from experimental innovation to mission-critical infrastructure, positioning the industry for unprecedented growth in the coming years.
The comprehensive developments throughout 2025 demonstrate LiFi's maturation as a technology capable of addressing diverse connectivity challenges while maintaining the highest security standards, setting the stage for even greater achievements in 2026 and beyond.
