Kyocera makes ‘breakthrough’ in underwater wireless optical communication…

11 Nov 2025

…and Corning and Nokia unite to offer fiber to the edge and optical LAN solutions.

Underwater high-speed communications for exploration and robot control.

Kyocera, a ceramics and electronics manufacturer based in Kyoto, Japan, has demonstrated Underwater Wireless Optical Communication (UWOC) technology capable of short-range data transmission at 5.2Gbps, which it says is “among the fastest fiberless UWOC technologies ever demonstrated”.

The company adds that the development could enable real-time, large-volume data transmission for ocean exploration and underwater robot operations, providing immediate access to high-resolution images, video feeds, and sensor data, and supporting more efficient underwater research and robot control.

Nowadays, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) and drones are redefining marine surveys, structural inspections, and resource exploration. Yet, mainstream audio communications for these frontiers of discovery face a major bottleneck: operating speed.

Typically limited to just a few Mbps, slow transmission restricts instantaneous sharing of high-resolution video and big data. With the aim of overcoming these limits, Kyocera has focused on developing specialized UWOC, achieving 5.2Gbps transmission in a freshwater laboratory setting.

Kyocera adds that this technology has the potential to be used across a wide range of fields, including real-time sharing of high-definition video from AUVs, high-precision inspection of underwater structures, immediate acquisition of large-volume data in ocean research, and simultaneous data collection from multiple underwater sensors.

This UWOC technology will be featured at CES 2026, a technology exhibition in Las Vegas, United States, between January 6 – 9, 2026 (booth: West Hall #6501).

Corning and Nokia unite to offer Fiber to the Edge and Optical LAN solutions

L: Corning’s ActiFi Hybrid Cable delivers data and power over fiber and copper. R: Nokia’s Aurelis Optical LAN platform is designed to replace copper-based LANs.

Corning and Nokia have announced a strategic collaboration to provide enterprises with what they describe as “seamless, end-to-end fiber to the edge (FTTE) and optical local area network (LAN) solutions”. The collaborative solution features Corning’s passive components and Nokia’s active elements.

The development is specified to address the growing demands of enterprises for scalable, future-flexible, and efficient LAN infrastructures for modern application needs and Internet of Things ecosystems, say the partners.

“The collaboration with Nokia demonstrates our shared commitment to revolutionizing enterprise networks,” said Piers Benjamin, EMEA Market Development Manager, Enterprise at Corning. “By combining Corning’s expertise in optical connectivity with Nokia’s LAN solutions, we’re enabling businesses to deploy infrastructures that are intelligent, high-performing, and adaptable to emerging technologies such as Wi-Fi 7 and advanced IoT applications – delivering seamless data and power all the way to the edge of the network.”

“Optical LAN is really a no-brainer for enterprises. Cutting overall total cost of ownership by up to half and removing the need to ever replace cabling is a game-changer. We’re pleased to join forces with Corning to bring this solution to market,” said Mathieu Roberty, Enterprise & Partner Director at Nokia.

Corning’s collaboration with Nokia focuses on the sectors where the demand for modernized and sustainable networks is rapidly expanding. The combined offering is already available across multiple market segments – including hospitality, healthcare, education, and real estate – in the EMEA and APAC regions.