IEEE study finds optical fiber bundles could revolutionize high-altitude laser communication systems for faster data links.

New findings indicate that optical fibers may play a critical role in establishing a versatile and decentralized framework for rapid data connections in airplanes. Recent experiments have shown that free-space optical communications (FSOC), a technique that employs lasers to transmit data, offer great potential for this purpose. Conducted in Piscataway, New Jersey, on December 26, 2025, these successful trials have shed light on the possibility of integrating FSOC into aircraft systems, thus paving the way for improved high-speed data links. This development could revolutionize in-flight connectivity by providing faster and more reliable data transmission capabilities.