Operation Convergent Response Demonstrates LiFi’s Emergency Capabilities

January 30, 2019

Verizon, Nokia and Aegex Technologies recently hosted an event where LiFi shows how it can sustain communications during a subway attack.

As part of an initiative to solve problems in disaster response communications Verizon, Aegex and Nokia brought together technology partners from around the world to collaborate on solutions. The objective was to bring technologies together that can help maintain business continuity, mitigate risks, potentially limit the impact of a catastrophe and when disaster strikes, and assist emergency response efforts.

Named Operation Convergent Response (OCR), the event featured technologies that could advance communications during rescue operations and ultimately save lives, and was held at the Guardian Centers training facility in the United States. This world-class disaster preparedness training centre provides disaster response units with experience under real emergency conditions.

During the event, PureLiFi demonstrated its wireless LiFi technology in a subway disaster scenario. LiFi technology was used to maintain, real-time, bi-directional communications that could enable communications with a command centre, allowing the emergency services to maintain safe, reliable connectivity during a response.

Jeffery Schweitzer, Chief Innovation Architect from Verizon commented, “PureLiFi demonstrated that LiFi solutions could perform under real life operations and enable critical communications during response missions in chaotic and disastrous environments.”

LiFi uses light rather than radio frequencies technology such as Wi-Fi and therefore can provide wireless connectivity in areas that Wi-Fi cannot, such as power plants, petrochemical facilities, and hospitals. LiFi also eliminates interference because light can be directed. PureLiFi’s systems can be simply installed alongside existing lighting infrastructures making LiFi an ideal technology for anywhere light, and communications are required, such as industrial settings. As demonstrated at the Guardian Center LiFi can also maintain safe and reliable performance under disaster situations.

Alistair Banham, PureLiFi, CEO explains, ”LiFi provides uniquely reliable wireless communications in unpredictable conditions such as disaster circumstances. Due to the growing pervasiveness of LED lighting and the high speed, safe, secure and noninvasive qualities of LiFi the applications for this technology are limitless. LiFi will provide connectivity for our homes, our offices or public spaces and beyond.”

This article was first published online by PureLiFi; purelifi.com/case-study/first-commercial-installation/.