What is LiFi technology?
LiFi and Wi-Fi: complementary technologies for a hyper-connected world
LiFi technology will allow us to connect to the internet using light from lamps, streetlights or LED televisions. In addition to being cheaper, safer and faster than wifi, it can reduce reliance on traditional routers in certain environments. All you need to do is point your mobile or tablet towards a light bulb to surf the web.
What is lifi technology?
LiFi (light fidelity) is a wireless, two-way communication system that transmits data via high-performance LED or infrared lights. It was unveiled in 2011 and, unlike Wi-Fi – which uses radio frequencies – LiFi technology employs light intensity modulation to transmit data and the internet signal. The bulbs switch on and off at a speed imperceptible to the human eye, allowing a receiver to interpret the information without affecting the lighting.
This represents an extraordinary advance over Wi-Fi. LiFi offers significantly higher speeds and bandwidth. Whilst Wi-Fi's radio waves are prone to congestion, speed loss and interruptions when many users connect simultaneously, LiFi waves have a bandwidth of 200,000 gigahertz, allowing for a much larger number of connected devices without any loss of performance.
LiFi can achieve a download speed of 224 gigabits per second, which would allow a 1.5-gigabyte film to be downloaded in a fraction of a second. In turn, it could ensure that “dead zones” – that is, areas where uneven radio wave coverage prevents viable communications – enjoy a stable connection.
In addition to its speed, LiFi stands out for its security. This technology enables the creation of a wireless network that only works with devices that receive the light signal. As light does not pass through walls, the signal is only shared within the room from which it is emitted, reducing the risk of third parties intercepting data. Furthermore, its use in environments prone to electromagnetic interference – such as aircraft cabins, hospitals or military applications – is particularly useful. LiFi is emerging as a comprehensive system to drive the Internet of Things (IoT) and the 5G network.
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Real-world applications of LiFi
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Hospitals and operating theatres
It enables connectivity without electromagnetic interference, meaning it can be used in operating theatres or near sensitive equipment such as pacemakers or MRI machines.
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Industry and factories
Secure communication between machinery via light sensors to synchronise production processes.
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Aviation and transport
Lights in transport vehicles become connectivity points in cabins or sensitive areas.
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Smart cities
In cities, streetlights and luminaires function as data transmission points.
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Homes and offices
It enhances connectivity in specific, congested areas and restricts the transmission of confidential information to a defined area.
Rolling out LiFi worldwide
German physicist Harald Haas, a professor and director of the LiFi Research and Development Centre at the University of Edinburgh, pioneered LiFi technology, which could reach our homes within a few years. Companies are currently trialling it with LED lights in offices around the world, and the aviation industry is already working on solutions to integrate it into commercial aircraft.
Airports, hospitals and city streets are other spaces where LiFi technology could become widespread. Artificial intelligence is one of the key drivers of growth in the LiFi market as it enables light parameters to be adjusted to improve signal quality and minimise interference. It helps manage large amounts of data, optimises the positioning of the light and strengthens encryption for more secure communications.
The industry is forecast to grow due to the need for greater bandwidth and more secure connections. LiFi leverages existing LED infrastructure to combine connectivity with energy efficiency, marking a step towards smarter city models based on sensors and artificial intelligence. For example, the advancement of digital transformation and smart city strategies in Asia, Europe and the Middle East is expected to develop in tandem with LiFi-based infrastructure. The transition towards a more sustainable city with improved urban electrification includes smart systems that utilise existing infrastructure for other tasks such as LiFi data transmission.
According to market research firm Precedence Research, the global market for this technology will grow from $990 million in 2025 to $51 billion in 2035. Europe is expected to be the region with the highest growth during this period.
LiFi vs. Wi-Fi: who will take the crown in wireless networks?
LiFi technology is faster, could be more cost-effective in certain deployments – particularly if it utilises existing LED infrastructure – and may even be more secure than Wi-Fi. These are its main advantages:
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Faster
Current Wi-Fi speeds range from 11 to 300 megabits per second while LiFi speeds also vary considerably according to the latest studies. The most widely accepted figure is 10 gigabits per second, but researchers have shown that it could reach 224 gigabits per second and download a 1.5-gigabyte film in a few thousandths of a second.
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More economical and sustainable
It is up to 10 times cheaper than Wi-Fi, requires fewer components and consumes less energy. All you need to do is switch on a light!
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More accessible
Any light fitting can easily be turned into an internet connection point, as all that is required is to fit a simple LiFi transmitter.
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More secure
Light does not pass through walls like radio waves, which prevents intruders from intercepting LiFi communications via the wireless network.
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More bandwidth
The light spectrum is 10,000 times wider than the radio spectrum, which greatly increases its capacity to carry and transmit data per second.
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More reliable
LiFi can provide stable connections in controlled environments, making communications more stable than those of Wi-Fi.
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No interference
Light does not interfere with radio communications; it does not interfere with other systems or compromise transmissions from aeroplanes, ships, etc.
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Wireless and invisible
LiFi utilises existing lighting fixtures and does not require a router, so it operates without the need for cables. What’s more, it can operate using infrared light, which is imperceptible to the human eye, or very low-intensity visible LED light so as not to cause any disturbance.
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No spectrum congestion
t could ease the pressure on the radio spectrum in environments with a high density of devices.
Although Wi-Fi is widely used, people are considering LiFi for aircraft, submarines and medical and military operations. Researchers have carried out pilot trials of LiFi in operating theatres and factories – environments where radio wave emissions could cause damage or interference. In its military applications, it also prevents the disclosure or exposure of data such as the transmitter's position or information encoded in messages, as there is a lower risk of detection. People also envisage everyday domestic use to expand Wi-Fi bandwidth, exchanging information via a parallel channel that frees up network capacity.
Current challenges and the future of LiFi
LiFi technology has the potential to complement and enhance existing wireless technologies. It can be used in situations where Wi-Fi is impractical. However, LiFi faces challenges such as the development of the infrastructure required to implement it. A key factor in this regard is the availability of low-cost, low-power, miniaturised transceiver technology – devices that integrate signal transmitters and receivers within a single unit.
When designing spaces that incorporate LiFi technology it is important to bear in mind that the connection requires a direct line of sight and is susceptible to external interference such as ambient light. On the one hand, the photoreceptor that detects the light bulb's flickering must have direct access to the light so any obstacle can cut off the connection. On the other, a large number of light bulbs must be installed throughout the space to improve communication. The use of infrared lights is recommended so as not to disturb the people in the room.
LiFi technology promises to revolutionise wireless networks, addressing the shortcomings of our current systems. It offers a faster, more secure and more sustainable alternative for internet connectivity, which is essential for carrying out our daily tasks in our digitalised environment.