Internet users in Dubai will soon switch to next gen technology for data transfer aka Li-Fi, dubbed as the next generation of high-speed internet.
Dubai will be the first city in the world to get the Li-Fi service. What is even more interesting is that Li-Fi service will be transmitted through the city’s streetlights. Each of these high-end design lamps would cost around $1000.

The first phase, planned for Dubai smart city will be rolled out by the end of this year.

What is LiFi?

Light Fidelity, or Li-Fi for short, has real world download speeds of multiple gigabytes per second. In laboratory settings, the speed was even more impressive, hitting a whopping 224GB per second.

LiFi vs WiFi

While Wi-Fi transmits data using radio waves, LiFi transmits data through LED light bulbs. With visible light, LiFi is able to transmit information at seriously high speeds. The only major worry about this tech is that since light cannot penetrate walls, it may not be as usual at homes!

Dubai was first made aware of the potential of the technology coming to the UAE last month, when du revealed they had partnered with Zero 1 to trial the service.

“We are currently working with major businesses to create tailor-made Li-Fi solutions and to test and validate the applications so that we can ensure we offer the latest in innovation to our valued customers,” Saleem Al Balooshi, executive vice president at du, said in a statement.

“The recent demonstration of Li-Fi adds further impetus to the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, in establishing the UAE as a global leader in all aspects and as an innovator in technology in the Middle East region,” he added.

The Li-Fi industry is expected to be worth almost Dhs300 billion by 2021.