Jordan O'BrienTP-Link’s latest router is a world’s first; it’s also full of big promises, such as the ability to download a 4K movie in four minutes or transfer 1,000 photos to a storage device in five seconds.
So how is it a world’s first? Well, the TP-Link Talon AD7200 is the first 802.11ad router, the new 60GHz Wi-Fi standard that sits on top of the existing 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. Unlike the recently announced HaLow, 802.11ad is designed for short distances and is ultra-fast.
In fact, the TP-Link Talon AD7200 supports transfer rates of up to 7.2Gbps by combining multiple bands together. It’s those speeds that give the router the ability to download an entire feature-length 4K HD video in about four minutes, without any concern of network interference.
The obvious problem with the 60GHz band however is the fact that it can’t penetrate walls very easily, meaning those blazing fast speeds will only be available to devices in the same room and with a direct line-of-sight to the router.
That’s not a big deal though, as the router will just switch to either the 5GHz or 2.4GHz bands when it needs to, meaning any device connected to it will still maintain an Internet connection.
TP-Link’s latest router wouldn’t be what it is without the help of Qualcomm however, as the Talon AD7200 leverages the company’s Atheros 802.11ad wireless technology.
“Qualcomm is continually investing in new, innovative technologies to meet the increasing bandwidth demands resulting from overcrowded networks,” says Rahul Patel, senior vice president and general manager, connectivity, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.
“We are leading the way with 802.11ac wave 2 with MU-MIMO to improve efficiency in the 2.4/5 GHz bands and now once again are bringing groundbreaking 802.11ad technology to commercial fruition. These technologies combined with the unique features of TP-LINK’s Talon AD7200 Multi-band Wi-Fi Router are designed to improve wireless networking and user experience.”
TP-Link has equipped the Talon AD700 with 11ac MU-MIMO technology, which promises to yield 2.5 times better 802.11ac performance while supporting several devices simultaneously for gaming and streaming.
It also boasts eight antennas with high-powered amplifiers designed to supercharge the Wi-Fi signal, keeping smartphones and devices connected to the network at all times.
TP-Link claims that dynamic beamforming technology also further maximises device performance and delivers a stronger, targeted signal across the entire home network. Additionally, its 1.4GHz dual-core processor enables high-speed connectivity while maintaining backwards-compatibility, allowing it to work with older wireless protocols such as 802.11 a/b/g/n.
“TP-LINK remains focused on delivering ultra-high speeds, improved reliability and increased network capacity to the home,” adds Lewis Wu, executive vice president of TP-LINK USA.
“Our Talon AD7200 Multi-band Wi-Fi Router will catalyse the entire industry, bringing faster-than-ever Wi-Fi speeds to homes.”
While TP-Link promises one of the fastest routers ever launched, many consumers will find it hard to take full advantage. The fastest broadband service in the UK is currently capped at 5Gbps, with this router better suited for those wanting to future-proof, rather than take advantage of its blistering speeds.
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