Singapore’s IMDA plans Li-Fi trials
In this article (5)
The Infocomm and Media Development Authority (IMDA) of Singapore has invited companies to participate in planned trials of Light-Fidelity (Li-Fi) technology.
The authority will waive frequency fees associated with Li-Fi trials, and will offer companies interested in conducting the trials the ability to use an existing technical trial framework.
Li-Fi is being developed as a potential Wi-Fi alternative capable of delivering speeds up to 100 times faster than the radio technology. The technology uses the visible light portion of spectrum between 400-THz and 800-THz.
But unlike WI-Fi, Li-Fi cannot penetrate objects such as walls, so it would most likely serve as a complementary rather than a replacement technology.
IMDA said there is a growing awareness of and interest in the technology in Singapore. In July, Temasek invested in Edinburgh-based pureLiFi, and companies including StartHub are working with pureLiFi to explore bringing the technology to the city state.
As well as the potential in home and enterprise networking, Li-Fi opens up significant location-based advertising and navigational opportunities for businesses, IMDA said. Users of future Li-Fi enabled devices would be able to be beamed relevant information based on their locations.
Questions & Answers
Q.What kind of support is IMDA offering to companies interested in Li-Fi trials?
What kind of support is IMDA offering to companies interested in Li-Fi trials?
IMDA will waive frequency fees for Li-Fi trials. They are also offering companies the use of an existing technical trial framework to assist with conducting these trials in Singapore.
Q.What is the primary technical difference between Li-Fi and Wi-Fi?
What is the primary technical difference between Li-Fi and Wi-Fi?
Li-Fi uses the visible light portion of the spectrum, specifically between 400-THz and 800-THz, unlike Wi-Fi which uses radio technology. This means Li-Fi cannot penetrate objects such as walls.
Q.How will Li-Fi technology be used given it cannot penetrate walls?
How will Li-Fi technology be used given it cannot penetrate walls?
Li-Fi is expected to serve as a complementary technology rather than a replacement for Wi-Fi, due to its inability to pass through walls. It also offers potential for location-based advertising and navigation.
Q.Which companies are already involved in bringing Li-Fi technology to Singapore?
Which companies are already involved in bringing Li-Fi technology to Singapore?
Temasek invested in pureLiFi in July, and companies like StartHub are collaborating with pureLiFi to explore introducing the technology to the city state. IMDA also notes growing local interest.
Reader pulse
Is Li-Fi a major shift for retail?
20,402 votes so far