pureLiFi, the Edinburgh-based tech firm pioneering LiFi technology that is said to revolutionise the future of wireless networks, has been working closely with Singapore’s Info-communications Development Media Authority (IMDA) to put its emerging technology to trial in the sovereign city-state.
pureLiFi has recently received investment from Singaporean investment firm Temasek.
LiFi, an abbreviation for Light Fidelity, is a technology that utilises light to transmit data wirelessly.
LiFi can turn every light in your office, home, car or even streetlight into a wireless Internet access point. LiFi technology offers high data rates, greater security and offers a pathway to unlocking access to unprecedented bandwidth and data density.
Earlier this month Dr Yaacob Ibrahim, the Minister for Communications and Information, has announced the intention of the Info-Communications Media Development Authority (IMDA) to facilitate joint-industry Li-Fi trials in Singapore by removing some of the regulatory barriers.
This marked a global first that has the potential to enhance Singapore’s competitiveness with the advent of 5G and the Internet of Things.
Harald Burchardt, pureLiFi COO described why this step is visionary: “Singapore has demonstrated once again that the nation are global leaders in the adoption of innovative technologies.”
“The vision to offer their country state-of-the-art wireless communications systems is reinforced by their action to quickly enable strong industry partnerships and an environment conducive to future commercial exploitation.”
“We certainly hope other countries and regions will follow suit in embracing LiFi technology and its transformative potential,” Mr Burchardt said.
pureLiFi has released three iterations of their LiFi system since launching in 2012 including the LiFi-X which consists of the world’s first LiFi dongle, and is also available in the form of a LiFi-integrated luminaire resulting from pureLiFi’s partnership with French lighting manufacturer Lucibel.
Alistair Banham, pureLiFi CEO said: “This step by IMDA could signal the start of new paradigm in the way the world overcomes the bandwidth crunch. LiFi is a technology that will create new markets and merge two huge Industries – Lighting and Communications.”
“This will result not only in new far-reaching commercial opportunities but also enhance the way we live in this mobile and wireless world.”
The bandwidth crunch is fast approaching as the number of connected devices like mobile phones, and other smart devices are growing exponentially and predicted to be in excess of 50 billion by 2020.
Additionally, each year the world utilises 50 percent more wireless data than the previous one, creating an unprecedented demand. LiFi offers a new enhanced layer of super-fast and secure wireless communications.
Dr Yaacob Ibrahim spoke about what this could mean for Singapore: “Li-Fi…has the potential to complement existing wireless networks to cater to society’s growing demand for higher internet connection speeds“
This step by IMDA could signal the start of new paradigm in the way the world overcomes the bandwidth crunch.
