LEDs that transmit or receive data in a VLC may create a flickering effect which is observed when the human eye is able to perceive the fluctuations of the light intensity in a LED. To prevent flickering, the LEDs may emit light based on a pattern of data and energy intervals. During the data intervals, a LED transmitting a message sends one or more data symbols to receiving LEDs. The receiving LEDs, however, are reversed bias and do not emit light. During the energy intervals, any LED in the VLC system may emit light. Each LED uses the energy interval to compensate for the light transmitted (or not transmitted) during the data interval. The combination of data and energy levels results in an observer seeing light with a constant intensity rather than changing intensity.