Li-Fi vs Wi-Fi: Could this bleeding-edge tech make your next router as fast as light?

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IEEE 802.11bb paves the way for lightning-fast networking.

pureLiFi Light Antenna ONE
(Image credit: pureLiFi | Windows Central)

What you need to know

  • A new IEEE 802.11bb light communications standard has been released, intended for emerging Li-Fi technology.
  • Li-Fi uses infrared light instead of traditional radio signals like Wi-Fi to transmit networking data wirelessly.
  • Advertising the potential for data transfer speeds 100 times faster than traditional Wi-Fi, its real-world drawbacks are yet to be determined.

The next generation of wireless networking could split away from traditional radio signals reliant on standards like Wi-Fi 6E and its upcoming successor, Wi-Fi 7, in favor of harnessing an infrared 'Li-Fi' invisible to the naked eye. Firms are already established and ready to embrace this emerging technology, with pureLiFi and Fraunhofer HHI among those promoting its supposed improvements over traditional Wi-Fi.

Introducing the 802.11bb light communications standard, the IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) provides this globally-recognized framework to allow any manufacturers willing to develop LiFi products to be compatible with one another. Having already unveiled the world's first LiFi device that complies with the new standard, the Light Antenna ONE from pureLiFi promises to 'add bandwidth without complexity and congestion.'

The release of the IEEE 802.11bb standard is a significant moment for the wireless communications industry.

Nikola Serafimovski, pureLifi VP

Since LiFi technology is yet to release any usable devices in the commercial market, it's difficult to say how it can compete against the already-established standards of Wi-Fi in homes and offices and 5G networking worldwide. Everything is still in theory, with a breakdown of the potential for LiFi networking speeds claiming 'up to 224 GB per second,' far higher than the rumored averages of over 40Gbps (5GB/s) coming with Wi-Fi 7.

In a video explanation, Fraunhofer HHI demonstrates the potential of installing LiFi transmitters within the light fixtures of multi-room buildings like offices, transmitting data wirelessly without ever leaking through walls as traditional Wi-Fi does. Given the apparent potential for incredibly high data transfer speeds, the potential for use in AR (augmented reality) or even online gaming is an exciting concept if it can work as reliably in the real world as advertised, and any business will likely be intrigued by improved data security.

We believe (LiFi) will create a future mass market. Fraunhofer HHI is looking forward to working with LiFi vendors to make this a reality.

Volker Jungnickel, Fraunhofer HHI

As LiFi devices will likely begin to appear at technology trade shows, we should be able to get a better indication of whether this futuristic tech has real potential or will be cast aside by unknowable drawbacks. The release of the IEEE 802.11bb standard is a step in the right direction for an emerging networking technology that claims to offer speeds 100 times faster than modern Wi-Fi and could replace some of the best modern mesh Wi-Fi systems offering similar long-reaching solutions to wireless networking.

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Ben Wilson
Ben Wilson
Senior Editor

Ben is a Senior Editor at Windows Central, covering everything related to technology hardware and software. He regularly goes hands-on with the latest Windows laptops, components inside custom gaming desktops, and any accessory compatible with PC and Xbox. His lifelong obsession with dismantling gadgets to see how they work led him to pursue a career in tech-centric journalism after a decade of experience in electronics retail and tech support.

5 Comments Comment from the forums
  • jdrison
    I remember doing research on this when I was in undergrad...15 years ago. There were some significant hurdles to this concept which, unless physics has changed, cannot be solved. The concept is most interesting for backhaul, however, even when your transmissions are LOS atmospheric conditions play a significant impact. Rain, fog, even wind plays a factor since these beams need to be perfectly aligned.

    In my current research, we are looking at sub-THz wireless (around 700GHz), and even there you have significant complications when dealing with atmospheric. Fiber transmits in the ~300THz range (3 orders of magnitude higher) which makes things exponentially harder.
    Reply
  • Ben Wilson
    The whole concept is really fascinating, but it does seem too good to be true. I'm hoping some product demos at whatever technology conventions might convince me in person, but I'm still skeptical.

    Interference, especially. Makes me wonder if they even COULD demo this tech on a showroom floor.
    Reply
  • RoguePine
    it's a good concept with potential but there's a point. in Wi-Fi you can be anywhere in the house or even outside the house in backyard or front door with only one single router and have internet access. considering you have mesh devices, it makes your connection even better. but for Li-Fi, as I found in this article you need multiple light source things directly above you depending on where you need your internet which is a barrier and sacrificing portability for speed. I'm not an expert but Wi-Fi's signal health issues aside, I think if Wi-Fi could catch the speed of Li-Fi it's much more comfortable and easier to use
    Reply
  • naddy69
    LOL. “Li-Fi tech could propel wireless networking to unprecedented speeds as fast as light”.

    Radio is the same speed as light. Radio and light are the same thing, just different frequencies. Both are electromagnetic waves.

    If it needs to be in every light fixture over you head - because light does NOT go through walls and such - then this is already WAY behind Wi-Fi.

    Think about TV remotes. If you have to point the remote directly at the TV, then it is using light. If you can point it anywhere and it still works, then it is radio.
    Reply
  • TheFerrango
    IrDA is alive again
    Reply