PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1849303
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1849303
Free Space Optics (FSO), also known as optical wireless communication, and Visible Light Communication (VLC) or Light Fidelity (Li-Fi), are communication technologies that leverage light for wireless data transmission, providing high-speed, secure, and energy-efficient communication solutions across various applications and environments. FSO entails transmitting data through free space using optical signals, often in the infrared or visible light spectrum. VLC, or Li-Fi in the context of wireless communication, utilizes visible light emitted by LED bulbs for wireless data transmission.
The key components of FSO and VLC or Li-Fi systems include light-emitting diodes (LEDs), infrared emitters, opto-couplers, and image sensors. LEDs are semiconductor devices that emit light when an electric current passes through them. These technologies support various transmission types such as unidirectional and bidirectional, catering to applications such as intelligent transportation systems (ITS), indoor networking, in-flight entertainment and communication, healthcare, underwater communication, and location-based services.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
The sharp rise in U.S. tariffs and the ensuing trade tensions in spring 2025 are having a significant impact on the information technology sector, especially in hardware manufacturing, data infrastructure, and software deployment. Increased duties on imported semiconductors, circuit boards, and networking equipment have driven up production and operating costs for tech companies, cloud service providers, and data centers. Firms that depend on globally sourced components for laptops, servers, and consumer electronics are grappling with extended lead times and mounting pricing pressures. At the same time, tariffs on specialized software and retaliatory actions by key international markets have disrupted global IT supply chains and dampened foreign demand for U.S.-made technologies. In response, the sector is ramping up investments in domestic chip production, broadening its supplier network, and leveraging AI-powered automation to improve resilience and manage costs more effectively.
The FSO and VLC or Li-Fi research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides FSO and VLC or Li-Fi market statistics, including the FSO and VLC or Li-Fi industry's global market size, regional shares, competitors with an FSO and VLC or Li-Fi market share, detailed FSO and VLC or Li-Fi market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the FSO and VLC or Li-Fi industry. This FSO and VLC or Li-Fi market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.
The fso and vlc/li-fi market size has grown exponentially in recent years. It will grow from $5.37 billion in 2024 to $7.41 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38.0%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increased urbanization, growth in concern over spectrum congestion, growth in energy-efficient technologies, increased investment in research and development, and increased use of wireless sensors.
The fso and vlc/li-fi market size is expected to see exponential growth in the next few years. It will grow to $24.68 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 35.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the expansion of 5G networks, increasing adoption of smart city initiatives, expansion of indoor wireless communication, growing use of Li-Fi in automotive, and rising demand for wireless connectivity. Major trends in the forecast period include the adoption of IoT, the adoption of 5G, RF technology, and technological advancements.
The forecast of 35.1% growth over the next five years reflects a modest reduction of 0.6% from the previous estimate for this market. This reduction is primarily due to the impact of tariffs between the US and other countries. Tariffs on visible light communication components and photonics hardware from key Asian markets could slow the commercial adoption of hybrid FSO and VLC/Li-Fi solutions in the US. The effect will also be felt more widely due to reciprocal tariffs and the negative effect on the global economy and trade due to increased trade tensions and restrictions.
The rising need for fast wireless connectivity is expected to drive the growth of the FSO and VLC or Li-Fi market in the future. Fast wireless connectivity refers to data transmission at high speeds through wireless channels. This increasing demand can be attributed to various factors, such as the rising number of connected devices, the prevalence of bandwidth-intensive applications, and the widespread adoption of remote work practices. Fast wireless connectivity employs free space optics (FSO) for transmitting data through light beams in the open air, while visible light communication (VLC) or Li-Fi uses light-emitting diodes (LEDs) to transmit data through modulated light, offering efficient and secure wireless communication. For instance, in April 2023, according to 5G Americas, a US-based industry trade organization, there were 1.05 billion 5G wireless connections worldwide by the end of 2022, marking a 76% increase from the previous year. By the end of 2027, this number is projected to reach 5.9 billion. Hence, the growing demand for fast wireless connectivity is propelling the expansion of the FSO and VLC or Li-Fi market.
Major companies in the FSO and VLC or Li-Fi market are concentrating on developing advanced technological solutions, such as light antenna modules, to enhance communication efficiency. Light antenna modules are compact devices designed to facilitate wireless communication using light waves, commonly utilized in technologies such as LiFi and VLC. For instance, in February 2023, pureLiFi Ltd., a UK-based technology company, introduced Light Antenna ONE, a LiFi module designed for integration into hardware. This wireless communications antenna, smaller than a US dime, is set to lead LiFi integration into connected devices and smartphones on a large scale. It is optimized for performance, compactness, affordability, and production requirements, enabling smartphone and connected device manufacturers to seamlessly integrate LiFi on a large scale.
In May 2023, Fairbanks Morse LLC, a US-based defense technology company, partnered with pureLiFi Ltd. Through this collaboration, they aim to ensure secure data transmission at sea for improved operational efficiency while also expanding pureLiFi's presence in the U.S. defense market leveraging Fairbanks Morse's industry expertise and customer base. pureLiFi Ltd. is a UK-based LiFi technology company.
Major companies operating in the FSO and VLC/Li-Fi market are Panasonic Corporation, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Signify Holding B.V., Acuity Brands Inc., LightPointe Communications Inc., SLD Laser, Visilink Technologies Inc., fSONA Networks Corporation, pureLiFi Ltd., Plaintree Systems Inc., Lucibel, SkyFiber Inc., Velmenni Research Pvt. Ltd., Infinity Technology Services Inc., Airlinx Communications Inc., VLNComm Inc., Global LiFi Tech Inc., LVX System, Oledcomm, Trimble Inc.
North America was the largest region in the FSO and VLC/Li-Fi market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the FSO and VLC/Li-Fi market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the FSO and VLC/Li-Fi market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The FSO and VLC or Li-Fi market includes revenues earned by entities providing services such as low latency, multipurpose lighting infrastructure, point-to-point communication, and secure communications services. The market value includes the value of related goods sold by the service provider or included within the service offering. Only goods and services traded between entities or sold to end consumers are included.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
FSO and VLC/Li-Fi Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on fso and vlc/li-fi market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for fso and vlc/li-fi ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The fso and vlc/li-fi market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.