Wi-Fi is old school; get ready for faster, more secure Li-Fi

2 min readUpdated May 30, 2025Jul 17, 20235:56 AM

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Wi-Fi might be on the way out even though Wi-Fi 7 is on the way in. The IEEE standards body that oversees Wi-Fi has released the IEEE 802.11bb light communications standard that will cover the emerging Li-Fi technology. Instead of using wireless network signals, Li-Fi uses invisible (to the human eye, anyway) infrared light to deliver light-based wireless optical connectivity at speeds up to 100 times faster than Wi-Fi.

Light can deliver signals free of radio interference and Li-Fi already has a competing standard, the International Telecommunication Union’s G.9991. The Verge notes that this standard is used with data-beaming bulbs from Signify. Another company called pureLiFi released the Light Antenna One system in February which already meets 802.11bb standards. This is a module that could fit into smartphones and the manufacturer claims that it can deliver data speeds exceeding 1Gbps.

However, Light Antenna One is rated to communicate with devices less than 10 feet away and when transmitting back it has only a 24-degree field of view. Still, the manufacturer of the Light Antenna One says that it is ready “to enable mass integration of Li-Fi for the first time.” Despite the 1Gbps claim from pureLiFi, download data speeds for Li-Fi are said to be as high as 224Gbps which tops the average 40Gbps download speed expected for Wi-Fi 7.

Some of the advantages of Li-Fi includes better security as signals are less likely to leak through walls. Li-Fi transmitters can be easily installed in light fixtures used in offices, and Li-Fi’s higher data speeds certainly would deliver the fast connectivity that Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and gaming devices could benefit from. And besides the faster download speeds, Li-Fi promises to deliver low latencies.

Light Antenna One claims to deliver up to 1Gbps download data speed using Li-Fi

This is just the beginning of Li-Fi and in a few years, we might be talking about the technology with the same familiarity we use when talking about Wi-Fi.

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Questions & Answers

What is the primary technical difference between Li-Fi and Wi-Fi technology?

Li-Fi uses invisible infrared light to deliver light-based wireless optical connectivity. In contrast, Wi-Fi relies on wireless network signals, making light-based communication a fundamental distinction between the two technologies.

What download speeds can Li-Fi potentially achieve, and how do these compare to Wi-Fi 7?

Li-Fi download speeds are said to be as high as 224Gbps. This significantly tops the average 40Gbps download speed expected for the upcoming Wi-Fi 7 standard, indicating a substantial speed advantage for Li-Fi.

Are there specific security benefits associated with using Li-Fi over traditional Wi-Fi?

Yes, Li-Fi offers better security as its signals are less likely to leak through walls. This inherent characteristic of light-based transmission provides an advantage in containing network access within defined physical spaces.

What limitations does the Light Antenna One system have despite its high speed claims?

The Light Antenna One system is rated to communicate with devices less than 10 feet away. When transmitting data back, it also has a limited 24-degree field of view, posing challenges for broader device coverage.

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