Maybe you’ve heard about LiFi and its revolutionary speeds up to 1000 times faster than WiFi, the current wireless Internet technology standard, but what is LiFi exactly? How can we use it? Will LiFi replace WiFi? LiFi.co is here to help you understand how LiFi is likely to transform our digital world.

The problem: spectrum crunch

Unbeknownst to us, the air around us is filled with large blocks of data. Phone masts, radio towers, remote controls, taxi radios, airport beacons, and many more pour forth data on a daily basis. Through all of these data, we have become so interconnected that we can’t imagine life without it. But as the demand for big data continues to increase, everything could one day grind to a halt. This is known as the spectrum crunch.

There have been talks of a looming spectrum crunch since the early 2000s. The main reason for this is the overwhelming demand for radio frequencies over which data can be transmitted. However, the radio spectrum is a finite resource. As such, it can only allow so few broadcasts before it runs out of available frequencies. And as the demand gets heavier, the day it arrives also comes sooner.

To solve this problem, newer technologies are necessary to provide spectrum relief. This is where LiFi comes in.

What is LiFi?

LiFi is a wireless optical networking technology. Specifically, it is a form of visible light communications (VLC) system that makes use of light-emitting diodes (LED) for data transmission.

LiFi has a special distinction from other VLC systems. Similar to WiFi, LiFi is the only form of VLC that allows the bidirectional transmission of light. However, instead of the radio spectrum, it makes use of the visible light spectrum through LED lightbulbs outfitted with a special chip.

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