Visible Light Communication Market - Growth, Trends, and Forecasts (2022 - 2027)

The visible light communication market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 101% over the forecast period. This technology will eliminate the need for other wireless technologies, such as Infrared (IR), Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi emit Electromagnetic interference (EMI) and RF waves that harm both instruments/devices and humans. However, the market is currently in the emerging phase, and prototypes are being developed.

Key Highlights

• The primary driver behind the high-speed VLC is the rapidly growing presence of LEDs in practically every signaling or illumination entity. By 2020, most new energy-efficient lighting installations are expected to be LED-based. Consequently, these bulbs can transmit at high speeds, impossible with conventional light bulb technologies such as fluorescent and incandescent lamps. According to research, the global LED penetration in the lighting market is estimated to reach 61% in 2020.

• Another critical driver for VLC systems comes from the plethora of wireless applications. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), a spectrum deficit (i.e., lack of usable radio frequencies for new wireless applications) is expected due to exponential growth in demand for wireless transmission capacity.

• The problem of congestion of the radio spectrum utilized by Wi-Fi and cellular radio systems is further facilitating investments for the development of the market for VLC. Technology innovations addressing challenges, such as line of sight (LOS) requirements, reliability and network coverage issues, and system setup complexities, would attract end-user interest in adopting VLC technology.

• However, a lack of awareness about this technology may hamper the growth of the visible light communication market. Since the technology is still emerging, prototypes are being developed. Further advancements in optoelectronic devices/materials are expected to open up new opportunities for applying this technology.

• The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the day-to-day operations of various organizations across the industries. However, with the enormous growth in the number of COVID-19 patients worldwide, hospitals and medical facilities face a severe challenge in treating patients.

• Various technologies, such as UV-LED, CT Scans, and other radiography technologies, amongst different other technologies, are being developed and used by these medical facilities and hospitals for early detection and diagnosis of the disease, further increasing the timely treatment of the patients.

Key Market Trends

Automotive and Transportation Segment Expected to Witness a Significant Growth

• Traffic management is a broad segment facing numerous challenges with the increasing population and vehicles on the road. The amount of data transferred through Wi-Fi on the street is neither sufficient nor secure enough for effective management. Apart from aiding traffic management, a promising application for VLC is in vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure communication.

• Most car headlights and tail lights are being replaced with LEDs. VLC can transform these LEDs for car-to-car communication. This factor can improve anti-collision systems and facilitate the exchange of a range of information between vehicles.

• As traffic lights use LED lighting, it is an emerging opportunity in citywide traffic management systems, like pedestrian signals and traffic signals using VLC. For instance, street lights communicating with a pedestrian's VLC-equipped smartphone can regulate vehicle traffic, allowing pedestrians to cross a street.

• VLC technology in traffic systems allows drivers to use smart devices or car headlights to connect and generate information from traffic lighting systems. This information can also be transmitted to other cars using tail lights. Information, such as traffic updates, the shortest estimated arrival time to a specific location (considering traffic congestion), or even internet access, can be communicated through this technology.

• However, drivers may use smart devices while driving, which may be challenging. The ideal way to overcome this challenge is to incorporate a visual communication system and use the vehicle's headlights to send information. However, the efficiency of these intelligent traffic systems may be affected due to noise, which may impact the adoption rate of VLC systems.

North America to Account for the Largest Market Share

• North America is the most prominent market for VLC due to increasing investment in R&D in advanced technological solutions, such as artificial intelligence, sustainable energy projects, and big data analytics. The major wireless network providers in the region, such as Telus Corp, Rogers Communications Inc., and BCE Inc.'s Bell Mobility, are investing heavily in R&D activities in VLC, along with 5G technology, increasing their market share among the wireless and internet service providers. Implementing Li-Fi technology is expected to boost the U.S. economy, aid economic growth, and create job opportunities.

• The United States is the most prominent market for VLC technology, owing to increasing investments in R&D in advanced technological solutions, such as artificial intelligence, sustainable energy projects, and Big Data analytics. The United States is the first to install 5G wireless networks, making the country the global test bed for LTE services and apps.

• The lighting industry is embracing new ground-breaking business opportunities through VLC, as data transmission governs all the significant sectors in the United States, including the government. Further, government initiatives, such as "Gigabit Communities," that help make the United States one of the high capacity and super-fast ubiquitous broadband networks, enhance the adoption of VLC opportunities.

• Increasing indoor location-based services embedded with light fixtures in retail shops and hotels in the North American region are also projected to be one of the factors driving revenue growth in the region. Several companies, such as G.E. Lightings and ByteLight Inc., are deploying VLC installations in supermarkets, which, in turn, is aiding retailers in tying customers' shopping history by tracking their location details.

• The defense sector contributes significantly toward developing the VLC market in the United States. For instance, the navy has recently conducted experimental operations on securing naval communications using Li-Fi technology. The Office of Naval Research is reportedly working with firms to develop the Tactical Line-of-Sight Optical Network (TALON), which would use Li-Fi for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication.

• Further, In October 2021, pureLiFi entered into a USD 4.2 million agreement with the U.S. Army in Europe and Africa to supply its secure optical wireless communication system Kitefin. The system uses LiFi, an alternative to radio technologies such as WiFi, for secure data transmission without radio frequencies.

Competitive Landscape

The Visible Light Communication Market is neither highly competitive nor has a limited number of players. It is an emerging market with newer pipeline technologies, further creating potential visible light communication technology.

• July 2021 - Signify joined HomeGrid Forum to expand the innovation and deployment of new technology for Light Fidelity (LiFi) applications. Signify provides a visible light communication system LiFi for fast, wireless, and secure connection by using light waves instead of radio signals.

• July 2021 - On Semiconductor announced new LED driver ICs NCL31000 and NCL31001, simplifying solid-state lighting (SSL) product development with smart-lighting feature sets to provide connectivity. The LED driver ICs will support Internet of Things (IoT) applications that include visible light communications (VLC) and indoor positioning.

• May 2021 - Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ) partnered with Latecoere Interconnection Systems, an electronic wiring interconnection (EWIS) supplier. The partnership will develop the Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) in-flight entertainment (IFE) monitor, an aircraft manufacturer's first technology for next-generation communication systems.

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