Photonic crystals (PhC) have given birth to a number of realizations in semiconductors. Two-dimensional photonic integrated circuits, especially around new integrated lasers, are challenging directions of research for miniaturization and new functions in optical telecommunications. In the first part of the talk, I shall tentatively review the current status of this very active research field worldwide. The two main technological approaches lasers for 2D PhCs, i.e. the so-called membrane and substrate approaches, will be considered. In the second part, I shall focus onto lambda = 1.5 micron PhC waveguide (WG) lasers in the InP substrate approach, which could possibly replace more traditional distributed feedback (DFB) lasers in future photonic-integrated-circuits. Most of the results will be taken from the French "CRISTEL" Project and the European "PCIC" and "FUNFOX" projects. Both coupled cavity waveguide lasers and canonical waveguides simply formed by one or several rows of missing holes will be considered. During the last twenty years the staggering success of optical fibre communications has enabled people to communicate widely across the world as never before. In spite of the recent economic difficulties the sector in experiencing the underlying growth in optical fibre communications is strong and will stabilise.