Kyocera Tips Underwater Laser Wireless Communication That Hits 5.2Gbps

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Japanese electronics manufacturer Kyocera has demonstrated a new wireless optical communications system using lasers that can deliver huge bandwidth over short distances, a massive improvement over traditional acoustic underwater data transmissions.

In clear fresh water, it demonstrated throughput of 5.2Gbps, which could enable real-time video streaming and communication with underwater drones, sensors, and submarines.

(Credit: Kyocera)

Kyocera developed a laser that can operate at distances up to 100 meters with a wide bandwidth, enabling the transmission of large quantities of digital data. It effectively increases the data transfer speed of typical underwater optical systems by 2.5 times, enabling HD video transmission over much greater distances.

That is in fresh water conditions in a lab, though, so it’s about as ideal a setting as you can get. Throw in brine, fish, kelp, floating matter and debris, and the bandwidth and range may be reduced. In a test just over a month ago, Kyocera achieved 750Mbps in an offshore trial near Numazu City in Japan’s Shizuoka Prefecture. Even then, though, this technology holds a lot of potential to enhance underwater communication.

Underwater Wireless Optical Communication Offshore Trial Image

(Credit: Kyocera)

In its release, Kyocera discusses the improvements such a technology could make compared with more readily available acoustic transmissions, which can only deliver a few megabits per second. Underwater surveillance drones could send information to an unmanned or manned vessel on the surface; several of them could relay the information over longer distances. This could allow for real-time communication and robotic control without the need for fiber optic cabling, making underwater drones far more capable.

Considering the rapid development of surface and underwater drones in Ukraine following the Russian invasion, you have to imagine there are more than a few ministers, engineers, and generals interested in seeing what this technology can do for military hardware capabilities, too.

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Still, since the lasers require line of sight—with even a passing fish or kelp frond disrupting the data flow—it may be more useful for static sensors or less contested underwater spaces. It could also augment existing fiber optic undersea cable systems, perhaps acting as a form of backup should a cable be disrupted, or for helping to monitor a cable’s status. Especially if those sensors could tap into that cable for redundant communication.

Still, necessity is the mother of invention, so if this laser technology can be used to give any kind of military advantage, someone will figure out how.

Kyocera will be showcasing this technology at CES 2026 in January, so watch this space. We may have more on what it can do in the coming months.