Ministry of electronics and IT tests LiFi tech to transmit data: Report
29 Jan 2018
The ministry of electronics and IT (MeitY)has successfully tested a technology called LiFi (Light Fidelity), which allows LED bulbs and light spectrum to transmit data at high speeds at 10 GB per second over a 1-km radius, The Economic Times reported.
The objective behind the initiative is to connect difficult terrains of the country that cannot be reached by fibre but have access to electricity. With the technology it will be possible to connect hospitals where regular internet signals interfere with certain equipment and also provide underwater connectivity.
"One of the biggest use-cases of LiFi could be in the upcoming smart cities in the country, whose underlying theme will be internet of things for modern city management and will be connected by LED bulbs," said Neena Pahuja, director general of the Education and Research Network (ERNET), an autonomous scientific society under the ministry, which conducted the pilot, ET reported.
The tests were conducted in association with IIT Madras at its campus along with lighting company Philips a few months ago. While the tests were conducted in a closed environment, ERNET now has plans to test it in open spaces in partnership with Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru.
