As Netgear cut resources in Australia arch rival D-Link is cranking up their range with the network Company set to show off a new 5G capable Gateway device at CES 2019.
The company is set to ditch the traditional connection to either a cable or DSL line in favour of 5G network access.
The 5G-capable D-Link DWR-2010 5G NR Enhanced Gateway supports download speeds up to 3Gbps, which is up to 40 times faster than the average broadband speeds in Australian homes. The average fixed-line NBN broadband speed is around 45Mbps.
While pricing has not been announced the new device is tipped to be launched late in 2019 or early 2020 in Australia as carriers start rolling out 5G packages.
In addition to faster speeds, D-Link’s new 5G router will also work with the company’s other Wi-Fi routers to create a mesh network. The D-Link DWR-2010 5G NR will also support voice over LTE, or VoLTE, capabilities. It comes with five Ethernet ports and support for four external antennas for LTE and 5G NR network access. Essentially, the D-Link 5G NR Enhanced Gateway is like a mobile hotspot for your house.
ChannelNews understands that D-Link is talking to carriers in Australia including Optus and Vodafone.
At this stage it’s also not known whether the device be sold as an unlocked model in Australia via mass retailers.
“With expanded spectrum and new applications, 5G is going to bring more competition to the broadband market within the coming years,” Raman Bridwell, D-Link vice president of product and services, said in a statement. “This gateway will help more people access that network in more places with the same wireline experience we have today.”
While 5G is capable of delivering connectivity speeds faster than what is possible today on 4G LTE networks, the technology also promises lower latency connections and more bandwidth. This will make 5G a good fit for lag-free wireless gaming, autonomous vehicles, and smart cities when it launches.
The technology can also help bring faster, more reliable internet access to rural areas where broadband may not be available.
The DWR-2010 also offers customization options for service providers, making it suitable for deployment on a range of network configurations. The gateway features an embedded 5G NR (New Radio) NSA module and can operate on the sub-6 GHz or mmWave frequencies in 200 MHz (2 x 100 MHz) or 800 MHz (8 x 100 MHz) configurations. Complete with remote management (TR-069) and FOTA, the DWR-2010 provides hassle-free operation and a better customer experience.
