LiFi, or light fidelity, is emerging as one of the most exciting frontiers in connectivity. Instead of relying on radio frequencies like Wi-Fi, LiFi transmits data through modulated light sources such as LEDs. A LiFi transmitter often looks like a standard ceiling light fixture, while receivers are compact modules or sensors embedded into devices. This technology offers rapid, secure communication, making it a strong candidate for environments where Wi-Fi may be congested or restricted.

Several innovators are driving LiFi forward. Edinburgh-based pureLiFi—founded by Prof Harald Haas, who first demonstrated LiFi—has become a global leader with deployments ranging from consumer trials to secure defence applications. Signify (formerly Philips Lighting) has also integrated LiFi into its Trulifi product line, leveraging its lighting expertise to bring LiFi into offices and hospitality projects. Companies like Oledcomm and Lucibel in Europe are expanding into healthcare, education, and commercial spaces, helping push LiFi toward mainstream adoption.

Although networking giants are researching the potential of LiFi, widespread deployment is currently led by specialist firms. Most LiFi systems connect back to servers and switches via copper Ethernet or fibre backbones, depending on the bandwidth required. With new standards such as IEEE 802.11bb seeking to make compatibility with existing networks feasible, LiFi is poised to become a powerful complement to WiFi—offering secure, high-speed connectivity through the lights above us.