Will Dubai be first to have city-wide internet via LED?

Dubai - 100 times faster Internet via LED lights, right here in Dubai.

A Staff Reporter

Published: Tue 18 Oct 2016, 4:23 PM

Last updated: Tue 18 Oct 2016, 11:40 PM

For those who find WiFi a bit slow, there's Internet in those LED lights - and it's up to 100 times faster than your regular router. The companies that are doing it - Dubai-based telco Du and its Li-Fi technology partner Zero.1 - are hoping to make Dubai the first city in the world with city-wide Li-Fi applications.
Du and Zero.1 demonstrated real life, real-time Li-Fi practical use cases during Gitex Technology Week 2016.
"We are committed to establishing the UAE as the birth place of city-wide tangible and usable Li-Fi applications, and for it to be recognised as a regional and global hub for the early adoption of Li-Fi technology," said Mark Fleschen, Chief Executive Officer, Zero.1.

Gitex visitors had the opportunity to experience Li-Fi; this future technology is a visible light communication system that uses light from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) as a medium to deliver network, mobile and high-speed communication in a similar manner as Wi-Fi but with clear line of site.
And yes, it's the common household LED light bulbs (no special LEDs required) to transmit wireless communications at very high speeds via Li-Fi, or Light Fidelity.
"Li-Fi creates incredible benefits for consumers and enterprises. Due to the efficient process of data stream generation, Li-Fi signals help achieve exponentially higher speeds, provide more bandwidth and are more secure than conventional Wi-Fi channels," said Jihad Tayara, Vice President Business Development & Partnerships, du.
"Moreover, Li-Fi technology results in no radiation or external network interference and provides extremely high data ranges," he added.
The current and future growth of wireless data traffic will mean that the radio frequency spectrum will not provide sufficient resources by 2025. Li-Fi will complement Wi-Fi technology to ensure a broader spectrum for seamless communication in the smart city of tomorrow. Visitors were thrilled to experience Internet over Li-Fi, including video and music streaming and geo-location.