Forget about WiFi: LiFi will be the next Form of Wireless Internet

Light fidelity (short LiFi) is a technology for wireless communication between devices using light to transmit data and position. The term was first introduced by Harald Haas during a 2011 TEDGlobal talk in Edinburgh. In its present state, only LED lamps can be used for the transmission of visible light. In technical terms, LiFi is a visible light communications system that is capable of transmitting data at high speeds over the visible light spectrum, ultraviolet, and infrared radiation.

LiFI – A brief Introduction

In terms of its end use the technology is similar to WiFi (Wireless Fidelity). The key technical difference is that WiFi uses radio frequency to transmit data. Using light to transmit data allows LiFi to offer several advantages like working across higher bandwidth, working in areas susceptible to electromagnetic interference (e.g. aircraft cabins, hospitals) and offering higher transmission speeds. The technology is actively being developed by several organizations across the globe.

Light Fidelity (Li-Fi): High Speed Bi-directional and Fully Networked Light Communications. Picture courtesy of PureLifi.

How does LiFi work?

Here’s a very interesting explanation video of PureLifi about how the concept works, and how it will connect the world through light, offering a faster, more secure and safe wireless communications with unprecedented data and bandwidth:

We keep following the developments around Li-Fi with great interest and will update you once tremendous progress has been made!

Thanks for reading/watching us!