Internet at the speed of light: Air France relies on LiFi

At a time when WiFi is beginning to make inroads on board aircraft, Latécoère is experimenting with a new way of transmitting in-flight data, using light.
Latécoère
Air France and Latécoère are working on LiFi (Light Fidelity) technology

In partnership with Air FranceLatécoère, the aeronautical equipment manufacturer, will be presenting its new aircraft at the Bourget a medium-haul cabin equipped with LiFi technologyfor Light Fidelity. This offers multimedia data exchange speeds of 100 times greater than WiFi currently offers, and requires less cabling, which has a definite impact on the weight of the aircraft and, consequently, its fuel consumption. For Yannick Assouad, Managing Director of Latécoère, "the development of LiFi technology on board aircraft is redefining the conditions under which passengers and cabin crew will be receiving and exchanging data in flight over the next five years." The video games publisher Ubisoftalso a partner in this test, sees the development of fun in-flight entertainment as a result.