01/09/2023
A novel data transmission method, utilizing the visible spectrum rather than radio waves, has been successfully trialed in a functional office environment. This technology, known as Li-fi, boasts the capability to provide internet access at speeds up to 100 times faster than traditional Wi-Fi, offering impressive rates of up to 1Gbps (gigabit per second).
Li-fi operation relies on a light source, like a standard LED bulb, an internet connection, and a photo detector. Estonian start-up Velmenni conducted a test of Li-fi's capabilities in Tallinn. During the trial, a Li-fi-enabled light bulb was employed to transmit data at a rate of 1Gbps. Laboratory experiments have even indicated theoretical speeds reaching as high as 224Gbps.
The testing encompassed an office setting, facilitating internet access for workers, as well as an industrial space where it contributed to an intelligent lighting solution. Chief Executive Deepak Solanki, speaking with the International Business Times, expressed the potential for this technology to reach consumers in "three to four years."