In the future, you could be using LED light bulbs not only to light your room, but as our router as well! This is one of the possible scenarios if Li-Fi truly is successful. Li-Fi, or “light fidelity”, is simply put, Wi-Fi via a LED light bulb.
But instead of using radio signals to transmit data, Li-Fi makes use of fast-pulsating beams of light from a microchipped LED light source at astounding speeds of 150Mbps. According to researchers at Funan University, China, they were able to successfully transmit data via “li-fi” at speeds up to 150 Mbps. Furthermore, they claim that via the technology, a one-watt LED light bulb would be enough to provide net connectivity to four computers. Although there’s no recording of any sort to corroborate their claims, they intend to demo their findings on the upcoming China International Industry Fair on Nov. 5 in Shanghai. Until then, experts suggest taking this claim with a grain of salt.
If true, though, Li-Fi will be able to provide a faster, cheaper, and more secure wireless connection than our current Wi-Fi set-up. Devices may also not need an extra chip to receive and interpret these signals, relying on onboard cameras instead as photoreceptors. I don’t think it’s set to replace radio-based Wi-Fi, though, since unlike radio signals, light can’t penetrate through walls, drastically limiting internet-sharing. But the technology is a boon for those who need security in their wireless network, or as a complement to their existing wireless infrastructure.
Regardless, it’s an interesting new technology, to be sure. I hope we get more info during the Fair.