The present invention is generally directed towards a system and method for providing a high speed switching driver to transmit data information. A first current is switched through a diode or shunted through an alternate path to selectively bias the diode. A second current can also be selectively switched through the diode to modulate a light energy output transmitted from the diode. Based on this configuration, fast bias-switching for generating a modulated laser diode output can be achieved by selectively switching the bias current through the diode or alternate path. Consequently, a solid state device can be controlled to transmit data information after a relatively minimal setup time delay to bias the diode.