Cisco announces 802.11ac router that tops Gbit/sec speed

Cisco recently announced that it will release a Linksys Smart WiFi Router and a Universal Media Connector, both incorporating 802.11acwireless technology, which is "designed to deliver wireless speeds approximately three times faster than the current wireless 802.11n standard," the company noted.

The router is compatible with previous-generation 802.11a/b/g/n systems. Specifically, the EA6500 router can operate in the 5-GHz band using 802.11ac technology, where Cisco says it can reach speeds up to 1.3 Gbits/sec and is backward-compatible with 802.11a and n. The router also can operate in the 2.4-GHz band, where it uses 802.11n technology, for speeds up to 450 Mbits/sec and backward compatibility with 802.11b and g. The EA6500 "contains six internal 3D antennae that are designed to insure the same performance whether placed on a desktop or mounted against the wall," the company says, adding, "As new 802.11ac devices such as smartphones and tablets enter the market, consumers will be able to take full advantage of the new capabilities and power with their Linksys Smart WiFi Router that offers 802.11ac performance." It is aimed at the consumer/home market.

A companion product, the Linksys Universal Media Connector "enables consumers to connect wired devices such as Smart TVs and game consoles to their WiFi network and stream HD or even 3D HD video content wirelessly," Cisco says, "and has been optimized to work with the ... EA6500. The connector operates in the 5-GHz band that offers less interference for a clearer signal. Additionally, with four gigabit ports, users can connect a variety of entertainment devices in the living room to the Internet at incredibly fast speeds."

The company is targeting August availability for the router and September availability for the connector.