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⇱ Difference Between LiFi and WiFi - GeeksforGeeks

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Difference Between LiFi and WiFi

Last Updated : 11 Jul, 2025

Wi-Fi(wireless fidelity) and Li-Fi(light fidelity) are two different technologies that are used to send and receive data wirelessly. In the case of Wi-Fi, we use Routers and Radio Frequency (RF) waves to transmit data, whereas in Li-Fi we use LED bulbs and Light signals to transmit and receive data.

What is WiFi?

Wireless fidelity, or wifi, is a wireless networking technique. It connects to networks and offers wireless internet using the IEEE 802.11 standard. Since cable requires installation and deployment on every computer to give an Internet connection, WiFi is more widely used because it offers a wireless connection.

Without the need for wires or cables, it functions similarly to a local area network. Wi-Fi is available on many modern computing products, including digital cameras, smart TVs, laptops, and cell phones.

Advantages of WiFi

  • Enhanced effectiveness: Faster information transfer occurs between partners and customers as well as within firms when data connections are improved. While on a sales call, salespeople can, for instance, remotely verify prices and stock levels.
  • Savings on costs: Installing wireless networks can be less expensive and easier, particularly in buildings that are listed or in situations where the landlord won't let wires be installed.
  • Fresh possibilities: Using wireless networking might enable you to provide new goods or services. For instance, 'hot spot' WiFi services have been implemented in a lot of train stations, hotels, cafes, restaurants, and airport departure lounges to enable mobile users to connect their devices to their 'home' workplaces while on the road.
  • Availability and accessibility: You are rarely disconnected thanks to wireless technology, which enables communication while on the go and eliminates the need for additional cables or adapters to access office networks.
  • Flexibility: While out from the office, office-based wireless workers can still be productive because they can network without occupying a separate computer. This may give rise to new working practices including working from home or having direct access to company data while at a customer's location. Find out more about workers that do remote work.

Disadvantages of WiFi

  • Security: It is especially important to secure your wireless systems since unauthorised people are more likely to assault wireless transmissions.
  • Installation issues: If there are additional sources of electromagnetic (radio) interference or if other people in the same building utilise wireless equipment, you can experience interference. In severe circumstances, this can result in a total loss of wireless connectivity or inadequate communication.
  • Reportage: It might be challenging to provide reliable coverage in some buildings, which can result in "black spots" where the signal is unavailable. For instance, it could be challenging for you to hear the radio frequencies utilised in buildings constructed with steel reinforcing components.
  • Transfer rates: Compared to 'wired' networks, wireless transmission can be less effective and slower.

What is LiFi?

Lifi, which stands for Light Fidelity, transfers and receives data via light signals and LED bulbs. Light has been used as an illumination source in homes, offices, and other spaces for a number of decades. But in the modern day, LEDs are utilised for communication in addition to lighting. LEDs are now capable of serving as a wireless communication link to access the World Wide Web from a computer or smart device.

Advantages of LiFi

  • Bandwidth and Speed: LiFi is able to provide mobile devices with several Gbps speeds. By pushing wireless technology beyond its present limits, this next generation technology will create previously unheard-of bandwidth.
  • Security of a Military Kind: Within a physical place, light can be secured and contained. Since LiFi provides accurate localization for asset monitoring and user authentication, it allows for much more control.
  • No Congestion: Unlike WiFi and other RF technologies, LiFi is not affected by congestion or the negative consequences of multiuser degradation.
  • Reliable: LiFi offers improved stability that makes it possible to communicate without interference and 1000 times more data density, which significantly enhances user experience.
  • Minimal Latency: Presently, LiFi provides three times less latency than Wi-Fi and has the potential to significantly boost automation, creativity, and applications like augmented and virtual reality.

Disadvantages of LiFi

  • Only in areas with available source light may one use the internet. Furthermore, light can only travel in a straight line of sight path and cannot pass through walls. This restricts internet access wherever it is needed. Its range is also constrained.
  • It cannot be used in an outdoor setting where RF signals are present. This is a result of interference from surrounding optical sources and sunlight. Furthermore, if it is used outside, it may be intercepted by unauthorised individuals.
  • Even though it is easy to install, a Lifi system needs a completely new infrastructure. This will increase the cost for businesses or individuals wishing to use LiFi Internet service.
  • Lights must be kept on day and night in order to use wifi internet services, even if it uses little power.

Difference Between LiFi and WiFi

ComparisonLi-FiWi-Fi
Full form It stands for Light Fidelity. It stands for Wireless Fidelity.
Invented/Coined  Coined by Prof. Harald Haas in 2011.By NCR corporation in 1991.
Operation Using LED bulbs, it uses light to communicate data. It transmits data using radio waves using wifi router.
Technology  Present IrDA compliant devicesWLAN 802.11/b/g/n/ac/d standard compliant devices
Data Transfer Speed  About 1 GbpsRanges from 150Mbps to maximum of 2Gbps
StandardIEEE 802.15.7IEEE 802.11
Privacy  Light is blocked by the walls hence provide more secure data transfer.Walls cannot block radio waves so we need to employ more techniques to achieve secure data transfer.
BandwidthAvailability of unlimited bandwidth.Availability of limited bandwidth.
Frequency of operation  10,000 times the radio's frequency spectrum2.4Ghz, 4.9Ghz and 5Ghz
Coverage Distance  About 10 metersAbout 32 meters(vary based on transmit power and antenna type)
Power ConsumptionPower Consumption is Low.Power Consumption is High.
Data density  Work with the high dense environmentWork in a less dense environment due to interference-related issues.
CostLowHigh
Bare minimum Components used LED bulb, LED driver and photo detectorRouters, Modems and access points
Merits
  • Low cost because of VLC technology used which in turn uses highly efficient LED bulbs.
  • Faster transmission speed as light travels at fast speed.
  • Less interference, ability to travel across salt water, and ability to operate in dense areas.
  • Prevents unauthorized access because of the no penetration feature of visible light from the opaque walls.
  • WiFi eliminated the need for direct physical connections to access local networks and the internet without requiring direct physical connections to servers. Users are granted access from anywhere within range because WiFi connections are wireless.
  • Easy to implement as you need to contact only an Internet Service Provider (ISP) to provide an internet connection and a WiFi Router to give an access point.
Demerits
  • The infrastructure required to implement LiFi technology on a large enough scale is still essentially nonexistent because it is still an emerging concept.
  • To enable network access, the light source must always be on.
  • It becomes extremely vulnerable to outside interference because it uses light to communicate data.
  • Users are made stationary when using LiFi devices because of the short signal range emitted by light bulbs.
  • WiFi networks are notoriously insecure. Its lack of security is primarily due to its large signal range.
  • More interference, inability to travel over salt water, and preference for less populated areas.
  • Signals are highly unreliable. This is because of the fact that radio frequencies are still susceptible to numerous external interferences. Due to this much range of connection issues, including weak signals, poor reception, and even connection loss can occur.
Applications  Used in airlines, undersea exploration etc.Used for internet browsing with the help of Wifi hotspot.
BroadcastLi-Fi uses visible light with special chips and sensors to broadcast its signalWIFI uses radio waves to broadcast its signal.
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