Press release

Global LiFi Congress 2019: the international meeting of the LiFi's experts

in a few words...

Challenges for the future:

5G, WiFi, Bluetooth network saturation

A solution: LiFi

 

Both Lifi’s scientific, and economic leaders will gather together to establish a valid timeline to determine the future of this new technology, which promises to revolutionize connectivity, as it pertains to IoTs (Internet of Things).


The Global LiFi Congress® will take place on the 12th and 13th of June 2019 at the Salons Hoche, near the Arc de Triomphe.

There will be numerous business, and scientific conferences, a trade show, a networking space. There will also be one to one meetings.

  Our mission:

To promote the technological revolution that is LiFi.

 Our objective:

Enabling all of the scientific and economic players to share their vision in terms of the innovation of, and the applications for, LiFi.

 Key figures:

Numerous economic and scientific figures in attendance

More than 20 conferences presented by the most renowned experts

6 continents represented


LiFi: a technological revolution

in a few words...

 

 LiFi?

LiFi is a wireless communication technology based on the use of spectrum light.

Light Fidelity, widely known as LiFi is a high speed bi-directional network, for mobile communication of data using light. LiFi is comprised of multiple LED light bulbs that form a wireless network, offering a substantially faster user experience, in comparison to other wireless communication technologies, such as Wi-Fi, by using the light spectrum.

LiFi is a category of Optical Wireless Communications (OWC). OWC includes infrared and ultra-violet communications as well as visible light. However, LiFi is unique in that the same light energy used for illumination may also be used for communication.

 

 The advantages

The most secure wireless connection

Faster than traditional network access

No electromagnetic waves

Very precise GPS

Eco-friendly

Indoor connectivity (medical, aeronautical, defense...)

No health risks

Very economical (no license)

Data density

No interferences


The program of the Global LiFi Congress 2019

 

 The event of the year for LiFi

The Global LiFi Congress® will take place on the 12th and 13th June 2019 at the Salon Hoches, near to the Arc de Triomphe. The possibilities, and potential of LiFi are immense.

The Global LiFi Congress® will bring together, in an international event, all of the players involved in this new technology.

The Global LiFi Congress® will enable you to learn about the latest technological advances concerning LiFi, and its evolution in the (short, medium and long term).

How is LiFi able to enhance my innovation strategy? How can LiFi give me a competitive edge?

 

 The Global LiFi Congress schedule

The Global LiFi Congress® will be structured around four key areas:

MORE THAN 20 CONFERENCES, AND ROUND TABLES

The scientific conferences will enable you to discover all of the latest advances in LiFi research, and innovation. The round tables will provide an opportunity for an exchange of ideas on the applications of LiFi in a very wide variety of fields such as medical, transport, aeronautics, commercial shopping centers.

TRADE SHOW

The magnificent Ballroom in the Salons Hoche will be reserved as an exhibition space. More than 20 companies, comprised of start ups, multinational organizations and professional associations will exhibit their latest product innovations.

Come, and discover the concrete solutions surrounding LiFi.

NETWORKING SPACE

The agenda of the congress was conceived in such a way as to encourage trade, and networking within a friendly atmosphere.

An area of over 300m2 will be provided for professionals, and scientists to exchange their views on LiFi’s future prospects. These more informal exchanges will give you the opportunity to easily meet other players, future partners, and clients.

BUSINESS

One on one meetings with other delegates will allow attendees to create exclusive relationships.

 

 The companies, and entities in attendance

The craze around LiFi is undeniable. Big companies in this sector are positioning themselves to take advantage of this new technology for which the Global LiFi Congress® is a key lever.

The members of the LiFi International Scientific Committee, comprised of the forefathers of LiFi, will be present at this event. This association of scientists has consistently supported the committee of the Global LiFi Congress®.

The start-ups and world leaders in research around LiFi are participating in this congress to bring a certain technological added value. Notably, we will find among them the companies, and scientists who invented this technology, as well as the start-ups that are pertinent to this sector.

We will also be presenting the major companies of this world who have invested heavily in LiFi, such as the transportation industry.

LiFi has many advantages, and brings real added value in each sector of activity.

Every entity, every business is affected by this technology.

The companies, which are interested in indoor communication such as in transport services or shopping centers, see the arrival of LiFi as a solution to many problems.

The telecommunication companies have found a way to counter the saturation of radio waves expected in a few years.

Private, and public companies who wish to maximise the security of their confidential data through a much safer new technology.


LiFi: a technological revolution

 

 What is LiFi?

The term LiFi was coined by Professor Harald Haas, at a Ted Global Talk in 2011 where he demonstrated LiFi in public for the first time. LiFi extends the concept of visible light communication (VLC) to achieve, specifically:

high speed

bi-directional

fully networked optical wireless communications.

 

 How does LiFi work?

Data is transmitted via LiFi through light... But how?

The principle is based on the sending of data through subtly varying the brightness of light sources. An LED is able to flicker several million times per second, which enables data transfer. The light source must be directly connected to the Internet.

Digital data passes by the LED bulb where an electronic component controls the LED in order to make it flicker according to a predetermined rhythm. The digital data thereby passes into the light spectrum. Then a receiver, integrated into a smartphone or a computer, retrieves these flickers and transforms them into video files, text, etc.

Here is a diagram to facilitate understanding of the LiFi:

 

 

■  What are the advantages of LiFi?

SATURATION OF RADIO-FREQUENCY NETWORKS

With the increase of connected devices, saturation of RF waves (radio-frequency) seems inevitable. As a supplement to other networks, LiFi is the ideal answer.

SPEED

Theoretically, LiFi transmission speed is much faster than WiFi, because the optical spectrum is 10,000 times greater than radio waves.

Today, LiFi output reaches 224 gigabytes in the laboratory against a few gigabytes for WiFi.

GEOLOCATION

LiFi allows us to geolocate a connected object, with an accuracy of 20 centimetres, opening up numerous possibilities. Today, several international firms are developing many applications which are capable of incorporating this technology in order to maximize its use.

This particular feature of LiFi makes it possible to have more targeted, and personalized communication, according to the position of each individual, commonly known as geo-contextualization.

LiFi is therefore the ideal technology for indoor places (basements, carparks, shopping centres etc.). The installation of the LiFi system is even facilitated by the lighting systems already installed in these public and private places.

SECURITY

Unlike WiFi, LiFi does not pass through walls, which makes it much easier to secure a network.

HEALTH

LiFi does not use radio waves.

In 2011, the World Health Organization classified radio frequencies as ‘possibly carcinogenic’. The draft law on sobriety, transparency and consultation in exposure to electromagnetic waves’ was tabled by MP Laurence Abeille and was voted on 9th February 2015.

USE IN HIGH-RISK AREAS

LiFi is safe to use in places like hospital, service stations, planes, etc, because it does not use radio waves.

 

 Prospects & promises of LiFi

The prospects, and promises of LiFi are immense.

This technology and its abundant advantages enable the development of a great number of applications, and brings significant benefits compared to existing technologies.

LiFi offers such great promise that a recent study projected that the LiFi market will grow by 80% per year until 2022, driven by significant investments and swift accessibility for private individuals. What Study?

In terms of figures, the LiFi global market grew to $500 million in 2016, and that figure will be multiplied 150 times, to reach $75 billion by 2023. Source

Today, major industrial groups are now investing massively in LiFi such as Samsung, Philips, Panasonic, Qualcomm, etc.

Telecom operators are considering reducing the use of radio waves and using LiFi to avoid saturation.

Orange is actively supporting LiFi technology, and is pushing suppliers to integrate LiFi receivers into their next smartphones.

In addition, the public authorities are very enthusiastic for LiFi technology: 15 French local authorities, the authorities of the Walloon region of Belgium and the city of Dubai (U.A.E), have initiated discussions for the installation of LiFi within their networks.

Some cities, like Palaiseau - France, have already equipped their public lighting with LiFi LEDs.

The French Museum of Playing Cards in Issy-les-Moulineaux - France has adopted LiFi. In order to trigger content no interaction is necessary: it is enough for the visitor to stand with a tablet under the lamps located above each piece of work.

The Paris public transport network (RATP) wishes to make this technology available to its users in order to guide them and provide internet access soon. The La Défense station for RER A in the Parisian suburbs, is now equipped with LiFi.

 

 The future technological advances of LiFi is the technology of the future.

Scientists are working today on the miniaturisation of the system, in order to integrate a receiver into all connectable devices.

The pioneering companies in this area collaborate with the largest international companies in order to be able to supply, and develop this technology throughout the world.

 

Three major stages:

1- LiFi companies developed two-way technology, allowing users to receive and send digital data.

2-From 2018, the miniaturisation of components will allow individuals to access a LiFi connection with any of their connected devices.

3-From now until 2022, the objective is to implement interoperability: which means automatic switching between 4G or 5G networks, to WiFi or to LiFi.


 

Feedback on the Global LiFi Congress 2018

 

 Few figures of the Global LiFi Congress 2018

  • More than 20 exhibitors
  • More than 30 conferences
  • More than 50 speakers
  • More than 600 visitors    

 

 Quotes from the Global LiFi Congress 2018

Eric PEYRUCAIN – Leading Digital Transformation in AIRBUS
« The LiFi is a new technology with a very high potential. So Airbus is really interested in this technology ».

Olivier BOUCHET – Project Leader in ORANGE
« I think the first edition of the GLC is excellent. I’ve met people I would never have met in other conferences ».

Dominic SCHULTZ – Project manager in FRAUNHOFER HHI
« We met a lot of interesting industry contacts as well as researchers from all around the world»

Stephan HEIMBERGER - Director Bu Leds in Components ALLNET
«For the Global LiFi Congress, I’m very impressed because there are a lot of customers and a lot of suppliers here and the contacts are very great»

Thomas DC LITTLE - BOSTON UNIVERSITY
«I think the Global LiFi Congress has been instrumental in bringing together the new companies that have emerged in the LiFi sector, this really represents the first time we’ve seen so many companies simultaneously demonstrating technologies»