We present an 850-nm vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) constructed for a wide operating temperature range from 25°C to -50°C sub-freezing temperature, demonstrating 40.1-GHz at -50°C. The optical spectra, junction temperature, and microwave equivalent circuit modeling of a sub-freezing 850-nm VCSEL between -50°C and 25°C are also discussed. Reduced optical losses, higher efficiencies, and shorter cavity lifetimes at sub-freezing temperatures are the leading causes of the improved laser output powers and bandwidths. The e-h recombination lifetime and the cavity photon lifetime are shortened to 113 and 4.1 ps, respectively. Could potentially supercharge VCSEL-based sub-freezing optical links for applications in frigid weather, quantum computing, sensing, aerospace, etc.