Schnell LiFi eyes Canada expansion after Fedeli talks

Schnell LiFi plans to expand into Canada following a meeting in Singapore with Ontario Minister Victor Fedeli.

The company intends to introduce its LiFi connectivity products to the Canadian market as part of a broader push into North America.

Schnell LiFi began as a spin-off from the Fraunhofer Institute for Photonic Microsystems in Germany. It develops wireless optical communications systems that use light rather than radio-frequency signals to transmit data.

The technology is designed for settings where conventional Wi-Fi may cause interference or where organisations want an alternative to radio-based wireless networks. In Canada, Schnell LiFi will focus on government and defence sites, industrial and scientific facilities, and smart city infrastructure.

Canada focus

The expansion follows discussions with Victor Fedeli, Ontario's Minister of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade. He met the company's leadership team in Singapore, where they discussed Schnell LiFi's work in Europe and Southeast Asia and its growth plans.

"This meeting with Minister Fedeli was a turning point for our North American strategy," said Sudhir Shreedharan, Chief Executive of Schnell LiFi.

"Ontario represents the heartbeat of Canada's technology ecosystem. Our mission is clear - to deploy next-generation digital infrastructure that drives economic impact, creates high-value jobs, and ensures Canada remains at the forefront of the global connectivity revolution," said Shreedharan.

Fedeli highlighted the company's international presence and its work in wireless communications.

"With a strong presence in Singapore and Germany, Schnell LiFi's innovative technology enables high-speed, reliable and secure wireless communication," said Shreedharan.

"It was a pleasure meeting with their leadership team to discuss their work in the European and ASEAN markets and their plans to continue to grow," added Shreedharan.

Sector priorities

Secure data transmission for government and defence will be one of Schnell LiFi's main priorities in Canada. It also pointed to industrial and scientific environments where radio-based wireless networks may interfere with sensitive equipment.

Smart city infrastructure is another target, with the company seeing demand for dense connectivity networks. More broadly, it argues that LiFi can complement existing communications systems in hospitals, schools, data centres and commercial buildings.

According to the company, industry analysts expect the global LiFi market to grow as organisations seek more secure alternatives to traditional wireless networks. LiFi remains a relatively small segment of the broader communications market, but interest has increased in specialist use cases where radio spectrum, interference and data security are key concerns.

The Singapore meeting also included Dr. Tao Li, Chief of Staff for Asia, and Dr. Eugene Seah, Southeast Asia Advisor. Both outlined the factors that made Ontario an attractive entry point into Canada.

"We are encouraged by Ontario's forward-looking approach to innovation and its commitment to strengthening digital infrastructure. This creates opportunities for meaningful partnerships and long-term collaboration," said Li.

Seah linked LiFi to broader infrastructure development and said the technology could complement existing mobile networks.

"LiFi will strongly complement 5G in Singapore and across the region by delivering ultra-secure, high-speed connectivity for smart buildings, hospitals, schools, and data centers. This strengthens digital resilience and supports future-ready infrastructure. The world needs LiFi-ready cities," said Seah.

The Canadian expansion is intended to support wider LiFi adoption across North America. Schnell LiFi is entering a market where governments and private operators are exploring ways to improve network security and add wireless capacity in environments where radio-based systems are not always suitable.

Schnell LiFi says it was founded on research developed at Fraunhofer and continues to build its products on that scientific base.