Edimax

Wireless access points (WAPs) are standalone devices designed to be connected to a wired router or plug socket in the case of HomePlug WAPs, to provide wireless access for portable devices such as laptops and smart phones. In the home access points are usually built in a broadband router, however in business separate access points are common as they offer flexibility of placement (often featuring PoE technology) and better coverage when multiple units are deployed.

These access points’ range and speeds will vary depending on the wireless standard they are based on - either 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7), 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6 / Wi-Fi 6E), 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) or 802.11n (Wi-Fi 4).

Wireless access points (WAPs) are standalone devices designed to be connected to a wired router or plug socket in the case of HomePlug WAPs, to provide wireless access for portable devices such as laptops and smart phones. In the home access points are usually built in a broadband router, however in business separate access points are common as they offer flexibility of placement (often featuring PoE technology) and better coverage when multiple units are deployed.

Wireless access points usually feature detachable antennas so alternative more specialist ones can be fitted. These are either for covering wider areas, or transferring a wireless signal over greater distances.

A broadband connection into the home is now almost a given’s more devices such as smart phones, tablets, laptops, PCs, smart TVs, heating, lighting and security devices are increasingly able to take advantage of an Internet connection for online gaming, remote operation or monitoring. A broadband router with increasingly powerful wireless capabilities is key to home and smart home connectivity.

These routers are based on the 802.11n wireless standard (Wi-Fi 4) and offer greater speed and range than previous 802.11g routers. They feature dual-band (2.4GHz / 5GHz) capability for segregating device connections for better performance, although it is important to remember that quoted Mbps speeds per bandwidth cannot be combined.