Lucent readies laser-based wireless system

Lucent Technologies has unveiled laser technology which it says will offer wireless data transmission up to 65 times faster than current radio-based systems.

The AT&T offshoot says its WaveStar OpticAir technology, developed by Bell Labs, will enable businesses and service providers to transfer data, voice and video at up to 10Gb per second over distances of up to 5km.

OpticAir uses equipment that can be located on rooftops or in office windows, allowing customers to increase bandwidth in areas where it would be impractical to lay cables, such as city centres.

Caribbean-based telco, Global Crossing is to test the system later in the year, with the first 2.5Gb per second product due to hit the market by March. The full, 10Gb per second product is expected to be ready by next summer.