Li-Fi – What is it?

Heard of Li-Fi, or Light Fidelity?  Digital Telecom believes that this could be a revolutionary breakthrough that delivers data speeds far higher than we’re securing at present.  It’s also a more efficient and secure platform in comparison to typical wireless technologies.

So what is Li-Fi?  It’s a Visible Light Communications (VLC) system. Just like Wi-Fi, it’s a bi-directional wireless communication technology.  The main difference is that Wi-Fi uses radio waves to transmit data, whereas Li-Fi uses visible light from LED light bulbs.

While it’s an evolving technology, the industry anticipates it being heavily used commercially in the next few years; predictions are it could be worth over $6 billion by 2018.

Why might your business use it?

In recent tests,  Li-Fi has reached speeds of 224Gbps.  This is roughly 100 times faster than a typical Wi-Fi connection. That has to be a huge business benefit right now, but as data demands grow, it could almost become a necessity.

Li-Fi is also extremely efficient, as it requires fewer components than radio technology.  Given it employs commonly used LED bulbs, Li-Fi could easily be delivered through the likes of street lamps, to provide Li-Fi hotspots!

LED bulbs, with built in Li-Fi, could soon be widely available, providing access and data speeds that Wi-Fi can’t compete with.  Devices too will be designed to seamlessly switch between 5G, Wi-Fi and Li-Fi depending on what’s available.  These are exciting times!

Interested in Li-Fi?  Give us a call.