Microsoft MOSAIC MicroLED: How Laser-Free Cables Could Cut Data Center Networking Power by 50%
Microsoft’s MOSAIC technology replaces traditional laser-based optical cables with MicroLED-powered interconnects that cut data center networking power consumption by up to 68%. Announced in March 2026, MOSAIC uses hundreds of parallel low-speed channels on medical-grade imaging fiber to deliver 800 Gbps throughput over 50 meters — ten times the reach of copper — while consuming only 3.1–5.3W per link compared to 9.8–12W for conventional optics. With a working proof-of-concept transceiver built in collaboration with MediaTek, Microsoft targets commercialization by late 2027. ...