Cisco refreshes Linksys E-series wireless home routers and launches the Linksys Range Extender

PRESS RELEASE

New products to set a new standard for speed, range, and ease-of-use and sporting a visually appealing Scandinavian design

London, 1 September 2011 - Today Cisco is continuing its legacy of leadership in home networking with a complete refresh of its Linksys® E-Series wireless router family and the launch of the Linksys Wireless-N Range Extender. With Internet video consumption exploding and sales of wireless-enabled products such as smart phones, tablets and game consoles steadily growing, consumers are seeking greater performance, reliability and simplicity from their home wireless networks. The new products set a new standard for speed, range, and ease-of-use and feature the latest industrial design that combines looks and advanced functionality - recently earning the Linksys E4200 the prestigious 2011 red dot product design award for design, innovation and quality.

The new lineup of five routers provides the power required for today's connected home. Providing speeds up to 450Mbps* key features include 3x3 spatial stream configuration for improved coverage, external power amplifiers to maintain signal strength over a greater distance and reduce dead spots, and virtual USB technology to connect USB printers, storage, and other devices to the network  Also new on select E-series models is native IPv6 and 6rd support.

Cisco is also launching the Linksys Wireless-N Range Extender for consumers who are experiencing weaker signal strength or so called ‘dead spots' in the home. The extender is designed to take an existing wireless signal and then repeat it throughout the home to ‘extend' the signal.  The Linksys Range Extender also acts as a wireless bridge - connecting a wired printer, Internet enabled TV or game console to the wireless network through its integrated Ethernet port.

"With more than 70 million routers sold, Linksys brings a decade of leadership and innovation to create products that consumers trust for the best wireless range and performance," said Jens Hofmeister, director product management at Cisco.  "Our new E-series routers offer an array of solutions for the needs of today's home networking consumer and is ideal for premium media experiences."

According to industry research group IDC, in 2010 only 16 per cent of Western European wireless home networks are using Wireless-N technology.  Over the next five years Wireless-N adoption is expected to nearly double due to the growth of wireless connected devices such as tablets, smart phones, and Internet-enabled TVs that require the latest wireless technology for optimal performance.

All Linksys E-Series routers include Cisco Connect^TM software, enabling users to set up their network in a few easy steps and customise their wireless settings to match their preferences. Once set up, users can use Cisco Connect software to:

• Add additional devices to the network
• Set parental controls
• Provide guest Internet access to visitors using a separate guest network
• Check their broadband connection speed with the Broadband Speed Meter
• Check for automatic firmware and software updates

Linksys E-Series Wireless-N Routers

Linksys Range Extender

Availability

The new Linksys E-Series wireless-N routers (excluding the E1500) will be available from PC World, Currys, pcworld.co.uk, currys.co.uk and Dixons.co.uk from 9 September 2011. The suggested retail prices for the routers range from £49.99 to £149.99. The Linksys Wireless-N Range Extender will be available for a suggested retail price of £69.99 from 19 September 2011.

*The maximum performance for wireless is derived from IEEE Standard 802.11 specifications. Actual performance can vary, including lower wireless network capacity, data throughput rate, range and coverage. Performance depends on many factors, conditions and variables, including distance from the access point, volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, operating system used, mix of wireless products used, interference and other adverse conditions.                         

About Cisco Systems

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Cisco's vision for the consumer is to enable people to live a connected life that is more personal, more social, and more visual. More information about Cisco and its line of consumer products can be found at www.linksys.com and www.cisco.com/consumer.