Netgear to Provide ‘Facebook Wi-Fi’ to Small Businesses

By Ken Brown

NETGEAR TEAMS WITH FACEBOOK TO PROMOTE CLOSER ENGAGEMENT BETWEEN SMALL BUSINESSES AND CUSTOMERS

Merchants use new Facebook Wi-Fi login on premium NETGEAR 802.11ac wireless routers to give free Internet access to customers who check into a business Facebook Page

Netgear Logo

LAS VEGAS January 6, 2014 NETGEAR, Inc. (NASDAQGM: NTGR) (www.netgear.com), a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers, is teaming with Facebook to provide Facebook Wi-Fi to small businesses. Facebook Wi-Fi (www.netgear.com/facebookwifi) is an application that enables merchants to provide free Internet access to their customers when they check in at the business Facebook Page. NETGEAR is making the Facebook Wi-Fi login available on its premium line of next-generation wireless routers supporting dual-band 802.11ac wireless, the worlds fastest WiFi.

Small business owners can turn their NETGEAR 802.11ac router into a wireless hotspot where customers and other visitors are automatically requested to check into the business Facebook Page before surfing the web. From here they have the option to like the Facebook Page, and engage with content the business has posted. This capability enables merchants to build closer relationships with customers by sharing offers and announcements directly from their Facebook page. Businesses also benefit from aggregate Facebook Page Insights about their customer base.

Cafes, book stores, barber shops and other small businesses have been providing WiFi to their clientele for several years, said David Henry, vice president of product management for NETGEAR Retail Business. Were adding the Facebook Wi-Fi login to our newest line of premium dual-band 802.11ac routers to encourage merchants to take better advantage of this benefit theyre already offering. They develop a stronger bond with customers and extend brand visibility with each check-in that appears in Facebook News Feed.

It’s easy for a business to configure the NETGEAR 802.11ac router for Facebook Wi-Fi. Upon first connecting to the routers wireless signal, customers, guests and visitors will land directly on the companys Facebook Page, where they will be asked to check in and have the option to like the Page before they begin using the Internet. No special codes are needed, and the customer has the option to automatically check in for free WiFi on return visits. This means businesses can continue to reach their customers with future posts, announcements, coupons and other news. Businesses can also share special promotions on their Facebook Page so the offers are the first things customers see when they check in.

Were very happy with our NETGEAR router as it was amazingly easy to set up, and since it offers 802.11ac wireless, its powerful enough to support our customers demands for Gigabit WiFi speeds for faster downloads, said Jean Paul Coupal, co-founder at Coupa Cafe in Palo Alto (www.coupacafe.com). Having the Facebook Wi-Fi login capability is really the icing on the cake. Since we began using Facebook Wi-Fi, weve seen a dramatic increase in the number of check-ins to our Facebook Page, and are seeing much more online engagement with our customers.

If customers wish to skip Facebook Wi-Fi check-in, the business owner still has the option to gate the Internet connection with a business-provided code, or even to offer free WiFi without a passcode.

Availability

NETGEAR will roll out Facebook Wi-Fi capability on four of its next-generation dual-band 802.11ac wireless routers over the coming months. NETGEAR routers are sold through major retailers and online. Below is the expected availability schedule for small businesses to download the free firmware update from the NETGEAR support site at http://support.netgear.com.

  • The new, blazing-fast Nighthawk AC1900 Smart WiFi Router (R7000) supports approximate combined Gigabit WiFi speeds up to 1900 Mbps* (600 Mbps @2.4GHz with 256 QAM support + 1300 Mbps @5Ghz 802.11ac); MSRP $199.99; firmware with Facebook Wi-Fi available in Q1.
  • The R6300 Smart WiFi Router supports approximate combined Gigabit WiFi speeds up to 1750 Mbps* (450 Mbps @ 2.4 Ghz 802.11n + 1300 Mbps @ 5 Ghz 802.11ac); MSRP $179.99; firmware with Facebook Wi-Fi available now for the R6300v2.
  • The R6250 Smart WiFi Router supports approximate combined Gigabit WiFi speeds up to 1600 Mbps* Mbps (300 Mbps @ 2.4 Ghz 802.11n + 1300 Mbps @ 5 Ghz 802.11ac); MSRP $149.99; firmware with Facebook Wi-Fi available in Q1.
  • The R6200 WiFi Router supports approximate combined WiFi speeds up to 1200 Mbps* (300 Mbps @ 2.4 GHz 802.11n + 867 Mbps @ 5 GHz 802.11ac); MSRP $149.99; firmware with Facebook Wi-Fi available in Q1 for the R6200v2.

The new 802.11ac wireless standard is the worlds fastest WiFi, providing Gigabit WiFi speeds so you can download web content faster and synchronize large video or music files more quickly. The increased speed of 802.11ac technology is ideal for mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets by providing up to three times the performance for a similar amount of battery consumption of devices using the current 802.11n WiFi standard. Dual-band mobile devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S4, HTC One, and Apple devices such as MacBook Air, iPad, and iPhone deliver outstanding performance with NETGEAR 802.11ac routers. Moreover, the industry-leading NETGEAR family of next-generation dual-band 802.11ac wireless products is compatible with legacy 802.11a/b/g/n standards to provide optimum performance and compatibility with all WiFi devices.

More Information

For more information on Facebook Wi-Fi, visit www.netgear.com/facebookwifi or Facebook at www.facebook.com/help/126760650808045. Learn more about NETGEAR 802.11ac routers and other 802.11ac products at www.netgear.com/fastestwifi.

NETGEAR is demonstrating its dual-band 802.11ac wireless routers this week at the 2014 International CES trade show in Las Vegas, where the company is introducing new products to press, customers and channel partners. See all CES-related news from NETGEAR at www.netgear.com/ces.

About NETGEAR, Inc.

NETGEAR (NASDAQGM: NTGR) is a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers. For consumers, the company makes high performance, dependable and easy to use home networking, storage and digital media products to connect people with the Internet and their content and devices. For businesses, NETGEAR provides networking, storage and security solutions without the cost and complexity of big IT. The company also supplies top service providers with retail-proven, mobile broadband solutions for their customers on the go. NETGEAR products are built on a variety of proven technologies such as wireless, Ethernet and Powerline, with a focus on reliability and ease-of-use. NETGEAR products are sold in approximately 45,000 retail locations around the globe, and through approximately 39,000 value-added resellers. The company’s headquarters are in San Jose, Calif., with additional offices in over 25 countries. NETGEAR is an ENERGY STAR partner. More information is available at www.NETGEAR.com or by calling (408) 907-8000. Connect with NETGEAR at twitter.com/NETGEAR and www.facebook.com/NETGEAR.

2014 NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR, the NETGEAR logo and Nighthawk are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries. Other brand and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Information is subject to change without notice. All rights reserved.

Facebook is a registered trademark of Facebook Inc.

* Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE standard 802.11 specifications. AC1900 equals 600 Mbps @2.4GHz with 256 QAM support + 1300 Mbps @5Ghz 802.11ac. 1300 Mbps is approximately 3x faster than 802.11n 450 Mbps. 2.4GHz Performance Mode requires 256 QAM support on WiFi client. Up to 1300 Mbps wireless speeds achievable when connecting to other 802.11ac 1300 Mbps devices. Actual data throughput and wireless coverage will vary. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, and network overhead, lower actual data throughput rate and wireless coverage. NETGEAR makes no express or implied representations or warranties about this products compatibility with any future standards.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for NETGEAR, Inc.: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Specifically, statements concerning NETGEAR’s business and the expected performance characteristics, specifications, reliability, market acceptance, market growth, specific uses, user feedback and market position of NETGEAR’s products and technology are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the following: the actual price, performance and ease of use of NETGEAR’s products may not meet the price, performance and ease of use requirements of customers; product performance may be adversely affected by real world operating conditions; failure of products may under certain circumstances cause permanent loss of end user data; new viruses or Internet threats may develop that challenge the effectiveness of security features in NETGEAR’s products; the ability of NETGEAR to market and sell its products and technology; the impact and pricing of competing products; and the introduction of alternative technological solutions. Further information on potential risk factors that could affect NETGEAR and its business are detailed in the Company’s periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. NETGEAR undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.