What Is Li-Fi And Could It Be The Next Big Thing For The Internet?
CNET, Monday, August 26th, 2024
A new and unique technology is around the corner, with the potential to change the way we connect to the internet. It offers different advantages than traditional Wi-Fi, though it is still too early to say what this means for broadband in our homes. So, what is this new technology, and how does it work?
What is Li-Fi?
Light Fidelity, also known as Li-Fi, uses the power of light to transmit data. Unlike Wi-Fi, which uses radio waves to create a wireless connection, Li-Fi relies on light to transmit data. Through this process, Li-Fi promises speeds that are 100 times faster than Wi-Fi.
Research for Li-Fi has been around since the early 2000s. Alongside his team, German physicist Harald Haas founded this technology by discovering that light can be used for two-way data transmission. It wasn't long before French company Oldecomm, one of the global leaders in this technology, began conducting its experiments on Li-Fi in 2008. In July, Europe launched Ariane 6 into space, carrying out four experiments, one geared toward testing Li-Fi technology.