Due to the massive growth of Internet during the past couple of years, the Radio Frequency (RF) spectrum has become saturated. Optical Wireless Communication is a free and unlicensed spectrum that is totally unaffected by the crunch in the Radio Frequency (RF) Spectrum. The result is, a faster and obstruction-free communication.

Another influencing factor is that Solid State Lighting (a type of lighting that uses semiconductor light-emitting diodes, or LED)  is being used more and more in intelligent lighting. This type of lighting is already enabled with sensors and controls, and given the fact that LED is taking over the market in domestic, retail and industrial contexts, it’s far more common nowadays to find LED technologies. This widespread use of LED’s is already paving the road for a potential rise in OWC systems.

On the other hand, OWC networks are environmentally friendly, since they help reducing the Carbon Footprint and energy consumption. Optical Wireless Communication technology can provide far greater bandwidth than any other radio technology. When it comes to security, OWC systems are safer. Your data is not carried through frequencies thus it can’t be intercepted. In addition, OWC offers many options to diversify the connection to the Internet, therefore increasing the number of available applications.

Internet is a growing industry. It is growing more and more every day. Internet has already changed the way in which businesses and cities are managed. Consequently, data will need to be directly accessed by its users, this is known as the “Internet of Things,” and it changes the way we see and use communications nowadays. The Internet of Things will help connect services, machines and businesses that were previously unconnected. Forecasts on revenue derived from Internet are said to be extremely profitable.

1. Research L-F, Centre D, Alex, Building er GB, Edinburgh TU of, Buildings K ’s, et al. Applications of Li-Fi [Internet]. Lifi Research and Development Centre. [cited 2016 Feb 9]. Available from: http://www.lifi-centre.com/about-li-fi/applications/

3. Student Blog: Examining optical wireless communications [Internet]. [cited 2016 Feb 9]. Available from: http://www.kaust.edu.sa/latest-stories/student-blog-examining-optical-wireless-communications.html