Gigabit LiFi has arrived and will be demonstrated at Mobile World Congress

MarketScale

Feb 5, 2019

LiFi leaders pureLiFi have announced that they have the first Gigabit LiFi components ready for mobile devices. The new optical LiFi components will debut in a commercial device at Mobile World Congress, the world’s largest conference for the mobile industry.

Gigabit LiFi is not only fast, it’s more reliable, virtually interference free and represents unique standards in wireless security, as light is inherently more secure than radio technology such as Wi-Fi or cellular.

The new optical components will, for the first time, allow for mobile device manufacturers to start designing LiFi into mobile handsets. pureLiFi CEO, Alistair Banham, stresses that now is the time for LiFi to move into the hands of the consumer:

The ecosystem is crying out for new spectrum and new wireless technology that will service the global appetite for more bandwidth and digital innovation. Device manufacturers need new technology to be sure they’re ready for 5G and differentiate between their competition.

Alistair adds.

We’re already in discussions with mobile phone manufacturers, demonstrating how our optical LiFi components will enable innovation in their products and transform the user experience. We’ve led global adoption of LiFi into critical use cases such as Government and Industry and now we’re bringing the technology into every device and every light for everyone.

As a wireless technology, LiFi holds the key to solving challenges faced by 5G, which is why both mobile device manufacturers and telecommunication providers alike have shown enthusiasm. In 2018, O2 Telefonica announced their trial with pureLiFi as an answer to 5G indoor communications. LiFi delivers 1000 the bandwidth of traditional wireless, offers ultra-low latency solutions and can services more user per square metre than any other wireless technology on the market.

In addition, an international group of industry experts from companies across the Wi-Fi ecosystem such as Intel, TI, Quantenna, Cisco, HPE, and others have come together to develop the standard for Light Communications based on the globally successful Wi-Fi standard in IEEE 802.11. The LiFi standard in 802.11bb is set for release in 2021.

LiFi can transform everyday wireless communication. Bandwidth has quickly become a threatened commodity. Demand for wireless connectivity is growing exponentially due to the fast growth in smart living, massive IoT, autonomous vehicles, VR and AR. Now is the time for LiFi and pureLiFi will present the first consumer device powered by Gigabit LiFi at Mobile World Congress, marking a watershed moment not only for LiFi but 5G and beyond wireless.

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