What is LiFi – Update 12/24

LiFi is UK born, revolutionary technology that uses light instead of radio waves to transmit data. By using light to transmit data, LiFi unlocks several unique advantages, such as unparalleled speed, security, efficiency and reduced interference. These benefits are limited with current radio-based networks such as WiFi. The radio frequency spectrum has a limited capacity and is prone to interference. With the increasing demand for data transmission and these limitations, the need for alternative wireless communication technologies is becoming more urgent. LiFi could reduce the strain on existing networks and improve the communication in areas where its benefits are essential.

Because of the advantages LiFi offers, it can be especially useful in environments where radio-based networks are less effective and may cause disruptions such as hospitals, aircrafts and underwater. As light signals are contained within physical areas, it also provides significantly better security in workspaces where sensitive data is transmitted.

LiFi was invented by Prof. Harald Haas, who introduced it during a 2011 TEDGlobal talk in Edinburgh. 

But why do we need more capacity?

When you look around you, the streets are getting busier and more and more people are using laptops on their commute to work, messaging their friends and switch on the heating in their homes before they return to work. For phones alone, 600TB of date is transmitted per month. Imagine the amount of data that is transmitted by all devices and applications using radio waves.

Today, we almost exclusively rely on networks using the radio frequency spectrum to transmit data. This spectrum has a limited capacity and data rate. The range of applications and devices that transmit data and are connected to the internet has grown significantly over the last 30 years and will continue to grow and overcrowd the radio spectrum. The consequences of these limitations mean we are running out of ‘space’ in the radio frequency range.

Now imagine that it is not possible to send any of this information: The world would come to a standstill – this is called the spectrum crunch.

If data transmission grinds to a halt, doctors may be unable to access critical patient records in the NHS, trains could lose real-time safety signals and payment systems may fail on the spot, causing widespread disruption to essential services.

This underscores the urgent need for new communications solutions. LiFi can leverage the vast unused spectrum of visible light to alleviate this growing pressure on traditional wireless networks.

Not only WiFi and phones transmit data using radio waves, they’re also used in astronomy, GPS, cars, boats, planes, drones, AI applications, astronomy, maritime services and the military and much more.

LiFi offers a solution to the increasingly urgent problem of the overcrowded radio frequency spectrum It taps into a huge amount of space in the light spectrum. This means more room for everyone’s data, fewer slowdowns, and fewer interruptions.

By using LiFi technology in certain environments that would particularly benefit from LiFi’s advantages – like high-speed data in secure or interference-prone areas – we can reduce the strain on existing networks and unlock new possibilities.

So how does this work?

Both visible light and radio waves are part of the electromagnetic spectrum, but they differ in frequency. Radio waves have longer wavelengths and lower frequencies, which means less available bandwidth. Visible light has much higher frequencies, meaning that LiFi can use a huge, untapped space, offering much more capacity for data transmission.

LiFi uses special LED lamps that rapidly switch on and off to send data. These changes are too fast for human eyes to detect, so the room still appears well-lit. A receiver interprets these light changes as data. Because light can’t pass through walls as easily as radio waves, LiFi signals remain contained within a room, improving security and reducing interference.

Figure: The electro-magnetic spectrum

benefits of lifi

LiFi provides a number of unique and unprecedented advantages such as speed, security, capacity, efficiency and reduced interference.

speed

LiFi uses the visible light spectrum which has much higher frequencies, meaning that it can achieve XX faster data rates than radio-based technologies.

optimised security

Because LiFi uses light, the signals can’t pass through walls, making it a secure option since only those within the room can access the network and prevents intruders from intercepting the data. In contrast, radio waves penetrate through walls and can be intercepted.

Capacity

LiFi utilises the visible light spectrum, which is 10,000 times wider than the limited radio spectrum.

Cost efficient

LiFi requires fewer components and can build on existing lighting infrastructures.

Energy efficient

LiFi utilises highly efficient LEDs and barely any energy is lost on heat. Additionally, there is no need to spend energy on cooling. In contrast to base stations that only use 5% of their capacity on transmitting data

Reduced interference

LiFi does not interfere with other radio frequency communications, ensuring a stable connection that is not susceptible to interference from other devices and making them suitable for electromagnetically sensitive areas like hospitals, planes and ships.

applications

LiFi can help in places where WiFi signals are weak or cause problems/LiFi can shine where WiFi struggles. In hospitals, it doesn’t interfere with medical equipment. On airplanes, it offers secure, fast internet without affecting pilot communications. Underwater, LiFi’s light-based signals travel better than radio waves and can help control autonomous underwater vehicles used by the military or send signals to divers. At home and in offices, it can provide faster and more reliable connections, especially in crowded neighbourhoods or busy office buildings.

Find more information on the applications of LiFi can be found on our Applications page.

Looking ahead

As the number of connected devices grows – think smart homes, virtual reality headsets, and entire “smart cities” – the need for more data capacity increases. LiFi offers a way to expand our wireless networks, allowing for more devices, faster communication, and smoother global connectivity.

LiFi is still evolving and will likely work alongside WiFi, fiber optics, satellites, and even quantum networks in the future. Together, these technologies can create a ‘network of networks’ that ensures everyone in the UK and beyond has access to fast, secure, and reliable internet.