Highly efficient operation of low-threshold 1.52 μm lasers grown by atmospheric pressure MOVPE is reported. The lasers were of a novel MOVPE/LPE hybrid design, based on the DC-PBH laser and operated with threshold currents as low as 11 mA and external quantum efficiencies up to 56%, and were characterised by near-circular far-field radiation patterns. This has allowed coupling efficiencies of 50% to be obtained between the devices and tapered-lens single-mode fibre.