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Perhaps this will be a term that will be talked about a lot. We could say that Li-Fi or Lifi for many is an alternative to the Wi-Fi network. In other words, it is a new form of wireless connection.
Internet via a light bulb
The Shanghai Institute of Technical Physics has been working on this new form of wireless transmission for some time. With Li-Fi, any internet data can be transmitted remotely via light. This avoids the use of radio waves, i.e. Wi-Fi, which we have known up to now.
Researchers at the institute succeeded in connecting four devices by means of a single-watt LED light emitting lamp. Strangely enough, the data transmission can be up to 100 times faster than what has been used now with Wi-Fi.
What is Li-Fi?
The word Li-Fi comes from the English term Light Fidelity. What is achieved with this innovation is light that can be used to transmit data at high speed, which is captured by an optical router.
The concept remains the same as today. However, instead of using electromagnetic waves, visible light would be used. Thus, the exposure to these waves would be reduced.
To understand this much more quickly, light travels at around 300,000 km per second, can you imagine travelling at such a speed?
How does Li-Fi work?
All that is needed is a special light bulb. When special is mentioned, it is because it has a small transmitting antenna or a transmitter chip inside. This chip is something similar to the traditional routers you have at home to send signals.
With this chip, the bulb becomes a luminous router. The transmission of information will only work when the light bulb is switched on. In such a way that the light waves will be sent to each of the light receivers such as televisions, computers, or any other intelligent household appliance in the house. It is clear that a good internet connection is needed, otherwise it would not be possible to surf the net.
However, the use of this technology would not require new works to create infrastructures. It is estimated that there are around 14 billion light bulbs everywhere.
All that would be needed would be to add the small chip or antenna inside the bulb and have an internet connection to start enjoying it. Imagine being on the street and having no mobile signal. All you would have to do is connect to one of these points to enjoy what you are doing. As mentioned before the connection is much faster so you would have no problem watching a movie on Netflix for example. No more of those moments when you run out of signal on the way to somewhere and it just sits there charging. The same goes for gamers who are on the road and do not have internet access from their mobile operator. If they are walking the streets of London, for example, they would always have access to games without the need to go to an entertainment arcade. They would be able to access specialised gaming sites and enjoy all the benefits of the net. Experts such as VSO allow them to play and benefit from no deposit bonuses in the UK. Therefore, they can try out a casino without spending any money. In addition, no deposit bonuses tend to be smaller offers, so any sum you win will also be quite modest. Amongst the no deposit bonuses you can find free spins or free chips. These are just some of the examples that could be made while online.
Advantages and disadvantages of Li-Fi
Li-Fi technology is still in the testing phase but it is safe to say that it will be the wireless network of the future. In a few years’ time, the routers we know today will cease to exist and the healthier technology will begin to be deployed.
However, there are advantages and disadvantages of Li-Fi to be aware of:
Amongst one of the advantages is that Li-Fi offers a browsing speed up to 10 times faster than that used so far by Wi-Fi. Its price would also be much lower than what is consumed with a Wi-Fi router. Another advantage is that any light bulb can be converted into a light router, so there is no need to buy a special bulb. And the most important advantage for certain sectors: the light does not pass through walls, making it much safer.
However, Li-Fi also has its disadvantages: it cannot be used with the lights off and you cannot connect to the next room, as it does not pass through partitions.
