Li-Fi: A New Wireless Technology on the Rise.

Since Wi-Fi is an accidental invention in 1992 by Australian radio astronomer Dr. John O'Sullivan through a failed experiment to detect exploding mini black holes. Wi-Fi has revolutionized digital communication without it our current mobile way of life would be somewhat different. Wi-Fi currently makes up 60% of global Internet traffic with all of that being said Wi-Fi still has some issues it's vague at times with a fluctuating signal and it's not totally secure because your signal can travel through walls and be easily picked up by someone else. The explanation behind the greater part of this is Wi-Fi utilizes radio waves to transmit information.

Now scientists have invented another wireless communication for computers that is 100 times faster than Wi-Fi called Li-Fi. It's a wireless internet technology that helps to transmits data at higher bandwidth speed by means of flickering LED light fields between 400 and 800 terahertz. It's a process known as Visible Light Communication, which is like an advanced form of morse-code but special receivers that can be connected to your computer or other device can translate this flickering into actual data. Visible light has the advantage that is less liable to have interference than radio waves and you end up with a communication standard that could be much faster than Wi-Fi in fact researchers at Oxford achieved speeds of 24 gigabits per second interlaboratory that's over 200 times faster than even a Google Fiber internet connection. Since Li-Fi uses relatively inexpensive LED bulbs which consume less power than a Wi-Fi access point visible light networks could be deployed relatively cheaply using mostly existing technology the power savings also potentially could have significant implications for global energy consumption.

Light is actually just part of the electromagnetic spectrum just like radio waves but light has a much higher frequency than radio waves which gives it a boost up on the bandwidth speed. The waves that carry the energy, move at a much faster rate than radio waves. Light also has a frequency range that is 10,000 times greater than radio waves that goes up to 790 terahertz while its 300 gigahertz for radio waves. All this means is that light has the capacity to transmit vastly more amount of data in much less time than radio waves. As light cannot pass through walls, data cannot be hacked by outside users and hence it provides one more layer of security to the network.

In November 2014, Li-Fi pioneers “Pure Li-Fi” joined forces with French lighting company Lucibel to launch Li-Fi enabled products.

Pure Li-Fi already has two products on the market: Li-Flame Ceiling Unit to connect to an LED light fixture and Li-Flame Desktop Unit which connects to a device via USB, both aiming to provide light and connectivity in one device.

Plus, with faster connectivity and data transmission it’s an interesting space for businesses. The mixing of internet of things devices and Li-Fi will provide a means of opportunities for retailers and other businesses alike. For example, shop owners could transmit data to multiple customers' phones quickly, securely and remotely.

In Dubai Li-Fi is being tested by UAE-based telecommunications provider, du and Zero1. They have also successfully provided internet, audio and video streaming over a Li-Fi connection. Apple may also build future iPhones with Li-Fi capabilities.