Cisco announces Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router EA6500 with 802.11ac

Cisco announced its first Linksys Smart Wi-Fi Router and Universal Media Connector both powered by 802.11ac. The new technology is designed to deliver wireless speeds approximately three times faster than the current wireless 802.11n standard.

The EA6500 blends 802.11ac technology with Cisco’s intelligent Cisco Connect Cloud software platform for an experience that simplifies how consumers connect, control and interact with their home devices and appliances.

This new router is backwards compatible with prior wireless networks and devices using 802.11a/b/g/n. This assures consumers can upgrade to the new Linksys 802.11ac products and still have full interoperability with legacy Wi-Fi devices.

The device contains six internal 3D antennae that are designed to insure the same performance whether placed on a desktop or mounted against the wall.

The new 802.11ac technology is optimized to meet the explosive increase in video consumption and the proliferation of wireless devices in the home. Cisco expects that in 2016 there will be 19 billion connected devices globally and that 1.2 million minutes of video will be viewed online every second.

The new wireless technology has been designed to improve speed, range and reliability and also helps to improve power consumption for mobile devices. This is becoming increasingly important to provide good connectivity for the growing amount of mobile devices that enter the home and will also help provide the type of quality connectivity required for a range of activities including watching live TV or on demand video in the living room, study or bedroom.