Linksys Announces New Wi-Fi Solutions featuring MU-MIMO Technology
By Ken Brown•
Linksys has just announced a number of new home wireless networking products built around MU-MIMO technology. The three products that they touted were the first fully functional MU-MIMO AC5400 Tri-Band Wireless Router, AC1900 Range Extender and a brand new USB Adapter. Linksys will be one of the first to market shipping working MU-MIMO (multi-User, Multiple-Input, Multiple Output), next-generation Wi-Fi 802.11ac Wave 2 enable devices that improve overall performance and efficiency of typical Wi-Fi networks.
Linksys also introduced Seamless Roaming which is designed to bring an enterprise-level Wi-Fi performance into your home. This technology helps enable client devices to roam around the home always connected to the optimal access point, either router or range extender seamlessly without having to manually connect or lose connection. Seamless roaming works much the same way devices work in an office environment where users can move room to room, floor to floor always staying connected to the office Wi-Fi connection.
The folks at Linksys claim that when Seamless Roaming is added to routers, range extenders and mobile devices- the mobile devices are able to switch and connect to the strongest Wi-Fi signal at all times. Users will be able to run an uninterrupted Facetime or Skype session on their smartphone, or watch YouTube/Netflix on their tablets while moving from one room to the other without dropping the signal. The potential for this new infrastructure is very exciting!
We hope to see the first products shipping within the next few months, but until then, here are some more detailed specs from the Linksys Press Release:
LINKSYS FIRST TO SHIP THE MOST POWERFUL HOME WIRELESS SOLUTIONS LEVERAGING NEXT GENERATION WI-FI, MU-MIMO AND SEAMLESS ROAMING
Linksys Expands its Max-Stream MU-MIMO Family with Award Winning, Industry Firsts:
EA9500 is the First Tri-Band Router Capable of Up to 8 MU-MIMO Streams
RE7000 MU-MIMO Range Extender is the First with Seamless Roaming
WUSB6100M is the Worlds First MU-MIMO USB Adapter
Playa Vista, CA May 26, 2016 Linksys, a leader in networking solutions for the home and business and the first to ship 100 million routers, today announced the first fully functional MU-MIMO AC5400 Tri-Band Wireless Router, AC1900 Range Extender and USB Adapter. These are the first networking solutions in their category to ship with working MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple-Input, Multiple Output), the next generation Wi-Fi 802.11ac Wave 2 technology, which helps improve overall performance and efficiency of a Wi-Fi network while providing dedicated bandwidth to MU-MIMO capable client devices as if they have their own dedicated router. Linksys is the only company with five MU-MIMO products in the market today representing the largest and broadest portfolio of MU-MIMO home Wi-Fi solutions on the market.
MAX-STREAM MU-MIMO Family of New Products
According to a white paper by ABI Research The Importance Of Mu-Mimo In The Wi-Fi Ecosystem more than 84% of all wireless 5GHz chipsets will be MU-MIMO enabled by 2019. To keep up with the speeds and performance of client devices coming to market such as 4K TVs, laptops, smart phones, tablets and game consoles, consumers will want to make sure they have the latest Wi-Fi router that can support all the new devices coming into the home. Sandvine Research has reported that 70% of internet traffic in North America consists entirely of streaming video and audio content from sources like Netflix, Amazon Prime Instant Video, iTunes, Pandora and many other sources. It was 30% five years ago.
With the rise of bandwidth intensive activities, such as 4K streaming and online gaming, the importance of an efficient and optimized Wi-Fi network is more critical than ever, said Justin Doucette, senior director of product management at Linksys. The Max-Stream family of products provides the broadest array of MU-MIMO capable and enabled products in the marketplace. MU-MIMO enables multiple devices to communicate with the router and/or range extender simultaneously, so the result is a faster and more reliable Wi-Fi.
Room to Room Wi-Fi leveraging Seamless Roaming Technology
With the launch of the Max-Stream AC1900 Range Extender (RE7000), Linksys is introducing Room-to-Room Wi-Fi with Seamless Roaming to the entire Max-Stream product line. New to the consumer market, Seamless Roaming brings an enterprise-level Wi-Fi experience into the home. This technology helps enable client devices to roam around the home always connected to the optimal access point, either router or range extender seamlessly without having to manually connect or lose connection. Seamless roaming works much the same way devices work in an office environment where users can move room to room, floor to floor always staying connected to the office Wi-Fi connection.
Linksys Max-Stream AC1900 Range Extender (RE7000)
When Seamless Roaming is added to routers, range extenders and mobile devices- the mobile devices are able to switch and connect to the strongest Wi-Fi signal at all times. Users can run an uninterrupted Facetime or Skype session on their smartphone, or watch YouTube/Netflix on their iPad while moving from one room to the other without dropping the signal.
Another advantage of seamless roaming is a single network name (also known as SSID) for the entire network, making it easier to always staying connected to the best Wi-Fi signal. In traditional router and range extender pairing without Seamless Roaming, its best to define multiple network names and manually switch clients from one network to another to optimize performance. This proves cumbersome and frustrating to many users.
Linksys just celebrated 28 years of providing networking solutions, and with that history comes extensive knowledge of how to address consumer pain points and to make Wi-Fi more efficient in the home, said Doucette. Room to Room Wi-Fi addresses consumers connectivity, throughput and range issues throughout the house while leveraging standards which will future proof your network for newer client devices to seamlessly roam.
Linksys MAX-STREAM AC5400 Tri-Band Wi-Fi Router with MU-MIMO (EA9500)
A Network World Best of CES 2016 winner, the is outfitted with Next Gen AC Wi-Fi technology, MU-MIMO, Tri-Band and eight high-powered external antennas that work in concert to deliver powerful Wi-Fi at combined speeds up to 5.3 Gbps. With the EA9500, the whole household can use their Wi-Fi connection to play video games, listen to music, check email, shop, stream 4K movies, and more, while also capable of providing up to eight simultaneous streams to client devices enabled with MU-MIMO*. As one of the most powerful Wi-Fi routers in the market, the Linksys Max-Stream AC5400 provides business grade functionality to get your home or small office up and running quickly along with the exclusive Linksys Smart Wi-Fi software app for your smart phone that provides remote access control of the EA9500 Wi-Fi Router from anywhere, at any time. EA9500 Wi-Fi Router also features a robust set of advanced offerings:
The Latest Wi-Fi Standard 802.11ac Wave 2 includes MU-MIMO
Room-to-Room Wi-Fi with Seamless Roaming Technology
9 Gigabit Ethernet ports (8 LAN, 1 WAN) and USB 3.0, 2.0 ports
8 external antennas for maximum coverage
First router capable of supporting up to 8 simultaneous MU-MIMO Streams*
WPA2 encryption and SPI firewall help keep your network safely connected
Linksys Smart Wi-Fi app for simple set up, remote access, control and troubleshooting
MSRP $399.99
Linksys MAX-STREAM AC1900+ MU-MIMO Wi-Fi Range Extender with Room-to-Room Wi-Fi (RE7000)
The first range extender; with MU-MIMO and Seamless Roaming, the Linksys RE7000 works with any Wi-Fi router, however when paired with a Linksys Max-Stream router it can provide even greater performance to Wi-Fi devices all around the home with Room-to-Room Wi-Fi. The combination of a Max-Stream router and range extender creates a single network in the home with a single network name (SSID) so users can roam throughout their home without having to manually connect to the range extender. The Linksys Max-Stream Range Extender, a TWICE CES 2016 Picks award winner, also features Spot Finder Technology (Patent Pending) to show users where to place the range extender using a mobile device for optimal performance. Crossband Technology maximizes the simultaneous use of both bands, while Beamforming focuses and strengthens the Wi-Fi signal. Additional features include:
Dual Band Wireless AC1900 – AC1733 + N300
Room-To-Room Wi-Fi with Seamless Roaming
The Latest Wi-Fi Standard 802.11ac Wave 2 includes MU-MIMO
Crossband Technology
Plug-In Form factor in white to blend into home dcor
Multi-Mode Repeater, Access Point
One Gigabit Ethernet Port
MSRP $149.99
Linksys AC600 USB Adapter
Linksys MAX-STREAM AC600 USB MU-MIMO Adapter (WUSB6100M)
The Linksys AC600 USB Adapter is the first MU-MIMO enabled adapter on the market and a Best of CES 2016 Winner by Toms Hardware. The WUSB6100M enables users to connect their Windows-based laptops and computers to a wireless-AC network as well as a MU-MIMO router which helps improve the overall efficiency of your home Wi-Fi, so users can easily stream high-definition video and enjoy high-speed gaming. Additional features include:
Linksys AC600 USB Adapter
AC Wave 2 – MU-MIMO (AC433/N150)
Beamforming for more reliable connections
Simple plug and play setup
Works with Any Wi-Fi Router; Optimized with Linksys Max-Stream solutions
MSRP: $59.99
Availability
The Linksys AC5400 Tri-Band MU-MIMO Router (EA9500), AC1900 MU-MIMO Range Extender with Room to Room Wi-Fi (RE7000) and AC600 MU-MIMO USB Adapter (WUSB6100M) will be immediately available this weekend at Linksys.com and at leading retail and online retailers including Amazon, BestBuy, Newegg, Staples, OfficeDepot/OfficeMax, Microcenter and Frys. Best Buy will also be offering a special purchase the EA9500 router and get the MU-MIMO USB adapter at no cost while supplies last.
About Linksys
The Linksys brand has pioneered wireless connectivity since its inception in 1988 with its leading innovation and engineering strategies, and best-in-class networking technology, design, and customer service. Linksys enables a connected lifestyle for people at home, at work and on the move, and with its award-winning products, simplifies home control, entertainment, security and Internet access through innovative features and a growing application and partner ecosystem. For more information, visit linksys.com, like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or watch us on YouTube.
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Maximum performance derived from IEEE Standard 802.11 specifications. Actual performance may vary, including lower wireless network capacity, data throughput rate, range and coverage. Performance depends upon many factors, conditions and variables, including products used, interference and other adverse conditions. Specifications are subject to change without notice. An active, customer-purchased Internet Service Provider broadband account is required for connection of these routers and other connected computers and devices to the Internet. Some devices may require additional wireless adapters or an Ethernet cable to connect to these routers.
The standard transmission rates2166 Mbps (for 5 GHz) + 2166 Mbps (for 5 GHz) and 1000 Mbps (for 2.4 GHz)are the physical data rates. Actual data throughput will be lower and may depend on the mix of wireless products used and external factors.
*A firmware download will be required for the EA9500 to include 8 simultaneous streams which is planned for release later this summer.
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