Photo Credit: Nathan Pitt - University of Cambridge
Hi, I’m Harald Haas, the Van Eck Professor of Engineering at the University of Cambridge. I have worked in academia since 2002 and previously worked at Siemens Mobile Networks. For the last twenty years, my interests have primarily focused on light-based wireless communication technology.
I introduced LiFi as part of a TED Talk in 2011, and then, in 2012, founded pureLiFi Technology with my former postdoctoral researcher, Dr Afgani. The company is now bringing to market the world’s first commercial light antenna —the optoelectronic components that make LiFi possible — for all kinds of devices, such as smartphones and smart cars, as well as industrial and consumer applications.
I also lead the UK Telecoms Hub on Network of Networks (TITAN) at the University of Cambridge, where we have eighteen mini-projects focusing on cross-cutting research themes. We have twenty university partners and collaborate with several research institutes, including Digital Catapult, the Bristol Digital Futures Institute, the Compound Semiconductor Centre, and Fraunhofer UK.
At TITAN, our work spans all network elements, from AI for networks/network intelligence to radio communications, optical wireless communications, fibre, non-terrestrial networks, and quantum. We are developing key technologies for a seamless, open, self-healing and fully integrated and AI-driven ‘network of networks’ which will enable connections between terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks — laying the groundwork for a greater level of complex connectivity for the increasing number of autonomous systems that 6G will enable.
Advanced connectivity is recognised as one of the critical technologies in the UK. It is a vital infrastructure, the nervous system of a modern society. The technology is driving innovation and productivity improvements across various vertical sectors, including healthcare, transportation and agriculture, to name a few. However, to unlock the full potential of these user-facing innovations, we need better networks: ones that can deliver terabit-per-second data rates to end-users, are secure, have a small CO2 footprint, and, most importantly, are available everywhere, not just in hotspots. There is a significant mountain to climb, technically and economically, when it comes to the availability of underlying communication networks that enable these innovations.
What do you enjoy most about working in this space?
The breadth of technologies that make up our complex communication network. These range from wired and wireless technologies across the radio and optical spectra to terrestrial and non-terrestrial networks, encompassing device technologies, algorithms, and protocols. This includes fundamental device physics and highly sophisticated software solutions. It will never get boring! It is a fantastic playground, offering endless opportunities for groundbreaking solutions that continue to improve our lives.
What’s the most ridiculous thing you’ve done in the name of work?
I travelled to China just for a day to give a talk early in my career.
Where do you see telecoms heading?
All the major innovations of the past two decades have relied on connectivity. For example, smartphones and all the social media platforms would not have achieved their current level of success without internet access. We are now entering the era of AI and autonomous systems, including autonomous cars and drones. At the same time, innovation in the smartphone space has reached a saturation point, and new groundbreaking developments, including holographic displays, are awaited. At the same time, we need to ensure that the communication infrastructure is secure and resilient — a failing nervous system could have fatal consequences.
What would you like people to know about your work?
I am very passionate about LiFi and optical wireless communications more generally. I see a great opportunity to use the optical spectrum not only to power our fibre networks, but also our future wireless networks, with huge potential in terms of more secure wireless access and transmission capabilities in the tens of terabit-per-second range.
We demonstrated 100 Gbps back at CES 2022 using a combination of visible and infrared light for indoor access; others have already shown 1 Tbps point-to-point optical wireless systems. Most recently, we used ordinary solar cells as high-speed LiFi detectors and demonstrated this at MWC 2025. The technology serves as a key building block for new capabilities indoors, including data centres and high-speed interconnects on a chip level, and outdoors, supporting terrestrial backhaul and fronthaul solutions as well as non-terrestrial networks (satellite-to-satellite and satellite-to-ground connections).
Why is a vibrant, flourishing telecoms ecosystem important for the UK?
The telecoms industry itself is a multi-trillion-dollar sector, offering tremendous opportunities for new businesses and driving economic growth and productivity in the UK. For geopolitical reasons, the UK must rebuild its telecoms industry to mitigate supply chain vulnerabilities.
