LiFi Won't Replace Wi-Fi Anytime Soon
Image credit to LiFi Tech News
In recent years, the emergence of LiFi (Light Fidelity) technology has sparked discussions and debates about the future of wireless communication. Some enthusiasts and professionals have made bold statements, claiming that LiFi will eventually replace Wi-Fi as the dominant wireless technology. However, and with due respect, from my observation, these assertions seem to be more speculative than grounded in reality. While LiFi undoubtedly has its great merits and great potential in many applications, the notion that it will completely replace Wi-Fi anytime soon is unlikely, especially considering the current infrastructure and ecosystem of wireless technologies.
The widespread adoption and reliance on Wi-Fi networks across homes, offices, and public spaces have created a robust and deeply entrenched infrastructure. Replacing this well-established system now with LiFi would require a massive overhaul and significant investments in terms of time, resources, and financial commitments.
In our opinion, even in a decade or a century from now, it is improbable that LiFi will entirely replace Wi-Fi. The two technologies are more likely to coexist and complement each other rather than engage in a winner-takes-all battle. We identified three specific reasons why LiFi is unlikely to completely replace Wi-Fi for the time being.
1. The Limitations of Line-of-Sight
Image credit to LiFi Tech News
One of the primary challenges facing LiFi that some individuals have been proclaiming is its reliance on direct line-of-sight communication between the light source and the receiving device. Unlike Wi-Fi signals that can penetrate walls and obstacles, LiFi requires an unobstructed path for transmission. This limitation restricts LiFi's coverage and flexibility within a space, making it less practical for scenarios where devices are in motion or require seamless connectivity across different rooms or areas. In contrast, Wi-Fi's ability to penetrate through barriers allows for more flexible coverage and adaptability in various environments.
However, it is worth noting that the line-of-sight limitation can be potentially resolved with the implementation of a LiFi MIMO (Multiple Input, Multiple Output) approach. MIMO is a smart antenna technology for wireless communication in which multiple transmitting and receiving antennas are used at the source and the destination to send and receive more data. By employing multiple antennas, MIMO can increase performance, data speeds, and transmission data capacity. Researchers have demonstrated that MIMO communication provides more efficient communication in terms of data rate.
The application of MIMO technology in LiFi systems could help mitigate the line-of-sight challenge by enabling multiple paths for data transmission. By leveraging multiple light sources and receivers, a LiFi MIMO system can create a more robust and reliable communication channel, even in the presence of obstacles or limited direct visibility. This approach could enhance LiFi's coverage and flexibility, making it more viable in a wider range of scenarios.
2. The Established Wi-Fi Infrastructure
Image credit to LiFi Tech News
Wi-Fi networks have become an integral part of our daily lives, with widespread implementation in homes, offices, and public spaces. The extensive infrastructure and compatibility of Wi-Fi across a vast range of devices make it challenging for LiFi to replace it entirely. Retrofitting existing Wi-Fi networks with LiFi technology would require significant time, effort, and financial investments, making it less feasible for widespread adoption in the near future. The cost and complexity of replacing the well-established Wi-Fi infrastructure pose a significant barrier to LiFi's dominance.
Many governments continue to invest heavily in the implementation of faster radio-based wireless communication technologies, such as 5G and the upcoming 6G, which are expected to shape the wireless landscape in the coming decades. For example, in the United Kingdom, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology has developed the Wireless Infrastructure Strategy, outlining their plan to provide nationwide coverage of standalone 5G to all populated areas by 2030.
The UK government has committed to investing £40 million to drive the adoption of 5G-enabled technology in local areas, aiming to transform public services and boost business productivity. They also plan to improve coverage reporting, including on the rail network, and continue working with local areas to enhance how the public sector uses wireless connectivity to deliver better services.
Furthermore, the UK government has set its sights on the future with its 6G strategy, pledging to invest up to £100 million in cutting-edge research and development. This investment aims to ensure that the UK plays an active role in shaping the standards and driving the adoption of future telecom technologies.
In the last 5 years, UK government policies have driven impressive progress in the deployment of world-class fixed and wireless networks across the whole of the UK, removing regulatory and practical barriers to deliver stronger growth, more jobs, and better public services in every corner of the country.
Through Project Gigabit, the UK government is investing £5 billion in gigabit broadband networks, with an ambition to get gigabit broadband to at least 85% of premises by 2025 and over 99% by 2030.
Through a £1 billion deal with mobile network operators, the UK government is supporting rural communities by ensuring that 95% of the UK landmass have 4G coverage by 2025. This currently stands at 92%.
Substantial progress has been made with 5G as well. In 2022, the UK government met their ambition for the majority of the population to have access to a 5G signal by 2027, 5 years early, through the deployment of basic, non-standalone 5G using existing 4G networks to deliver increased network capacity.
The commitment to investing in 5G and 6G technologies demonstrates the continued focus on radio-based wireless communication as the backbone of connectivity infrastructure. Governments recognise the importance of these technologies in delivering more prosperity, opportunity, and productivity to the people and businesses they serve.
The ongoing investments in 5G and the proactive approach towards 6G development highlight the confidence in the future of radio-based wireless communication. These advancements in Wi-Fi technology further solidify its position as the dominant wireless communication technology, making it increasingly challenging for LiFi to replace it entirely.
While LiFi find its niche in specific applications and scenarios, the continued investment and development of radio-based wireless technologies, such as 5G and 6G, indicate for now that Wi-Fi will remain the primary means of wireless connectivity for the foreseeable future. The coexistence and complementary nature of LiFi and Wi-Fi are more likely to shape the wireless landscape, rather than a complete replacement of one technology by the other.
3. Global Standardisation and Market Acceptance
Image credit to LiFi Tech News
Wi-Fi has become a universal standard, ensuring compatibility across a wide range of devices, from smartphones and laptops to IoT devices. This broad compatibility has been a key factor in Wi-Fi's success and widespread adoption. LiFi, on the other hand, would require devices to have specific hardware components, such as photodetectors, to receive LiFi signals. Achieving broad compatibility with existing devices would be a significant challenge for LiFi, as it would require manufacturers to incorporate additional hardware and software support.
Wi-Fi operates on globally accepted standards, ensuring interoperability and compatibility across different manufacturers and devices. This standardisation has been a key driver of Wi-Fi's success and widespread adoption. LiFi, as a newer technology, is still in the process of standardisation and widespread adoption, which can impact its compatibility and market acceptance. The lack of a unified global standard for LiFi could lead to fragmentation and compatibility issues, hindering its ability to gain significant market share.
However, it is important to note that although there are quite a number of Wi-Fi standards that ensure interoperability among devices, more LiFi standards have started to emerge. Organisations such as the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) and the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) have been working on developing standards for LiFi technology to promote interoperability and market adoption.
For example, the IEEE 802.11bb standard, also known as "Light Communications (LC)", came out in 2023 to define the physical and medium access control layers for LiFi systems. This standard aims to provide a framework for interoperability and compatibility among LiFi devices from different manufacturers.
Additionally, the ITU has established the G.vlc (Visible Light Communication) standard, which focuses on the use of visible light for high-speed data communication. This standard provides guidelines for the design and deployment of LiFi systems, promoting interoperability and facilitating market adoption.
As more LiFi standards emerge and gain traction, it is expected that within the next 2 to 10 years, a greater number of LiFi standards will be established to spread interoperability of our devices with LiFi technology. The development of these standards will play a crucial role in driving the adoption and market acceptance of LiFi technology.
However, it is important to consider that the process of standardisation and market adoption takes time. Even with the emergence of new LiFi standards, it will require significant efforts from manufacturers, service providers, and end-users to ensure widespread compatibility and interoperability. The transition from Wi-Fi to LiFi, or the coexistence of both technologies, will depend on the successful implementation and adoption of these standards.
The market acceptance of LiFi will also be influenced by factors such as cost, ease of use, and the availability of LiFi-enabled devices. As LiFi technology continues to mature and more standards are established, it is likely that we will see an increasing number of devices and systems that support LiFi connectivity.
Image credit to LiFi Tech News
LiFi Tech News’ Opinion
As LiFi technology continues to evolve and gain attention, it is crucial to understand its potential impact on the wireless communication landscape. At LiFi Tech News, we believe that with the current situation, there is no way that LiFi will completely replace Wi-Fi. However, it is important to recognise that Wi-Fi is not the supreme wireless technology to fulfill the ever-growing needs of end-users for faster, stable, and highly secure connectivity. This reality highlights the fact that these two technologies will complement one another, each excelling in specific areas and scenarios.
Wi-Fi has its strengths and weaknesses, and the same applies to LiFi. Wi-Fi's ability to provide widespread coverage, penetrate obstacles, and support mobility has made it the dominant wireless technology for many years. However, it faces challenges in terms of data security, spectrum congestion, and interference from other devices operating in the same frequency bands.
On the other hand, LiFi offers several benefits that cannot be ignored in today's digital age. LiFi's use of visible light spectrum for data transmission provides inherent security, as light cannot penetrate walls or be intercepted from outside the intended area. Additionally, LiFi's high data density and the vast amount of available bandwidth in the visible light spectrum enable faster and more reliable connectivity in specific environments.
Nevertheless, LiFi's line-of-sight requirement and limited range compared to Wi-Fi present challenges for widespread adoption. This is where the complementary nature of LiFi and Wi-Fi comes into play. LiFi can excel in scenarios where high-speed, secure, and localised connectivity is required, such as in smart homes, offices, hospitals, or industrial settings. Wi-Fi, on the other hand, can continue to provide broader coverage and support mobility in larger areas.
To fully realise the potential of LiFi and accelerate its adoption, we strongly believe that ambitious pilot programs and partnerships are urgently needed. Implementing LiFi connectivity solutions across broader societal contexts, such as public spaces, educational institutions, and transportation systems, will help raise awareness of LiFi technology on a wider and possibly global audience. These pilot programs will showcase the capabilities and benefits of LiFi in real-world scenarios, demonstrating its potential to enhance wireless connectivity and complement Wi-Fi.
Collaboration between industry stakeholders, including LiFi technology providers, device manufacturers, network operators, and end-users, is crucial for the successful implementation of these pilot programs. By working together to develop and deploy LiFi solutions, we can address the challenges and opportunities associated with this emerging technology.
Ongoing research and development efforts in LiFi technology are essential to further improve its performance, reduce costs, and enhance its compatibility with existing wireless infrastructure. As LiFi standards continue to evolve and mature, we can expect to see more devices and systems that support LiFi connectivity, driving its adoption and integration with Wi-Fi networks.
In conclusion, while LiFi may not completely replace Wi-Fi, it has the potential to revolutionise wireless connectivity in specific scenarios and complement Wi-Fi's strengths. The complementary nature of LiFi and Wi-Fi will shape the future of wireless communication, offering end-users the benefits of both technologies. However, to fully realise the potential of LiFi, ambitious pilot programs, partnerships, and continued research and development are essential. At LiFi Tech News, we will continue to advocate for the advancement and adoption of LiFi technology, recognising its transformative potential in the ever-evolving wireless landscape.
Image credit to LiFi Tech News
