The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the organization behind WiFi standards, has reached a significant milestone by approving the 802.11bb standard, which introduces the world to LiFi (Light Fidelity). LiFi (also spelled as Li-Fi) is a revolutionary communication technology that utilizes visible light to transmit data, promising faster and more secure data transmission than traditional technologies like WiFi and 5G.
This article explores the origin of LiFi, how it works, and its importance– shedding light on the potential to transform our digital world. Let's dive in!
The origin of LiFi
LiFi, short for "Light Fidelity," emerged as one of the newest communication technologies, using visible light as a medium for data transport. The concept was born to address areas where WiFi usage is restricted and enhance high-speed connectivity. Professor Harald Haas coined the term during a TEDx TALK in 2011.
How does LiFi work?
LiFi technology utilizes LED light bulbs to emit invisible light pulses to the human eye. It is identified as a revolutionary wireless connection that can be up to 100x faster than WiFi.
One of the most remarkable features of LiFi is its ability to achieve transmission speeds exceeding 100 Gbps (Gigabits per second). Preliminary speed tests for LiFi revealed data transfer speeds to reach up to 224 Gbps, which is 100x faster than WiFi. This is a significant upgrade over the prevailing technology as even a small fraction, say 1%, outperforms WiFi with a net data transfer speed of 20 megabits per second. Such fast connectivity opens up many possibilities for various applications, from seamless video streaming and augmented reality experiences to fast data transfers and real-time communication.
How does LiFi differ from WiFi?
WiFi and LiFi are both ways to connect to the Internet without wires, but they work differently. LiFi distinguishes itself from WiFi in several aspects. It uses visible light, which is abundant and has less interference compared to the crowded radio frequency spectrum. Our next article will detail the differences between LiFi and WiFi, so stay tuned!
Why is LiFi important?
According to LiFi.co, the consumption of wireless data increases by 60% every year, leading to a phenomenon called spectrum crunch. This refers to the potential lack of sufficient wireless frequency spectrum needed to support the growing number of consumer devices and various government and private sector uses of radio frequencies within a broad spectrum allocated for different types of wireless communications. The spectrum crunch poses challenges for wireless networks as it negatively affects the speed of Internet usage.
That said, as WiFi's demand for data keeps growing, it may eventually need help to keep up with the increasing demand, leading to decreased performance and user experience. This is where LiFi comes into play, providing an alternative that can alleviate the spectrum crunch and offer unprecedented data transfer speeds, ensuring a seamless and faster wireless communication experience for everyone.
With its lightning-fast speed, enhanced security, and potential applications in various aspects, LiFi has the potential to become an integral part of our future, paving the way for a more connected and efficient world. While we now enjoy the perks of being connected to PLDT Home– the undisputed fastest Internet in the Philippines for five years in a row, the future with LiFi holds even more exciting possibilities.