Can LED Lightbulbs Deliver 10Gbps Wireless Internet?

UK researchers are developing a 10Gbps home wireless internet system using Light Fidelity (Li-Fi) and millimetre Wave (mmWave) embedded in LED lightbulbs. Specifically, the mechanism relies upon blinking lights, strobing at over a thousand flickers per second. The researchers hope to achieve speeds of up to 10Gbps. The team from Brunel University London secured a £720,000 grant from Europe’s Horizon 2020 to work on the Li-Fi internet delivery service.

LED Lightbulbs and Li-Fi Internet Delivery

The Brunel researchers, over their three-year project, foresee the Li-Fi tech included within home LED lightbulbs. In addition, 5G wireless internet will complement the Li-Fi technology. However, according to the following diagram, the technology will require fibre optic cables running directly into the light fitting. Therefore, adding Li-Fi into existing homes won’t be an easy task.

Light-Controlled Robots?

Beyond just delivering internet through light, the researchers see potential for easy remote control functionality. Professor John Cosmas said (via ISPReview):

“It will allow surgeons to perform robotic surgery from a different hospital from where the patient is located.

In general, it will enable the Internet of Control — remote control of machines and robots through the Internet. So far, this has not been possible because of large and variable latencies — delays through the existing Internet.

People will no longer need to travel as much, and will work from home more effectively, thereby reducing the use of fossil fuels for transport.”