Amped Wireless is promising epic Wi-Fi range and speed with its new Helios-EX RE2200T extender courtesy of a combination of power amplifiers, antennas, and the use of three Wi-Fi bands to handle signals.
According to a Tuesday press release from the company, the Helios-EX extender features 12 high-power amplifiers, and four high-gain antennas (three of which are external), as well as MU-MIMO technology to help it deliver data to multiple devices without reducing speed. The device also includes Gigabit ports and USB 3.0 file sharing capabilities.
But perhaps the most interesting element of the Helios-EX is its use of three Wi-Fi bands – including a 2.4 GHz band and two 5 GHz bands – to handle traffic. One of the 5 GHz bands serves as a dedicated backhaul link to the router, while the other two bands are free for client connections with speeds of up to 399 Mbps on the 2.4 GHz band and 866 Mbps on the 5 GHz bands.
As pointed out by CNet, the dedicated third link technology (which Amped Wireless calls “DirectLink”) is also used in Netgear’s Orbi Wi-Fi extender. But where the Orbi extender only works with an Orbi router and adds just 2,000 square feet to the router’s identical coverage range, the Helios-EX is compatible with any other router out there and can boost coverage up to 12,000 square feet.
Amped Wireless’ VP of Networking Jason Owen called the Helios-EX, which was winner of a CES Innovation Award, “one of our proudest innovations to date.”
The Helios-EX is expected to become available via physical and online retailers in late February for just under $180.
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