Linksys Introduces Dual Band Version of Velop Mesh Router

Linksys has announced a new version of its Velop mesh system. The routers differ from the previous triband versions by supporting only dual band and a smaller housing. In addition, the company is introducing a gaming router for the Xbox One.

According to Linksys, the individual nodes support 2×2-mu-mimo and speeds of up to 867Mbit/s over 5GHz. Where in the triband version one 2.4 GHz band and two 5 GHz bands can be used, in the dual band version it is only one 5 GHz band in addition to the usual 2.4 GHz. The new models must be compatible with the existing triband models, so that, for example, an existing network can be expanded. The manufacturer has developed a so-called Intelligent Mesh system with which the wireless network can be optimized. Software updates will be available, including parental controls and network traffic monitoring.

Linksys also introduces a gaming router in the form of the WRT32XB, which it says it designed for the Xbox One. For example, the device must prioritize traffic from the console over other network traffic. For the rest, the device largely corresponds to the WRT32X. The router will be released in February for a price of $299. Linksys has not yet announced what the euro price will be.

The prices of the new Velop routers are also not yet known. It is expected to be lower than the triband models, which cost about two hundred euros for a single node. Packs of two and three copies will be available again. That happens in the spring in the US and Canada. It is unclear when the European release will take place.

Three Velop nodes