Linksys launches Velop "whole home" mesh networking Wi-Fi system in Singapore
First seen at CES 2017 earlier this year, Linksys' new Velop mesh networking Wi-Fi system is finally available in Singapore.
Note: This article was first published on 6th April 2017 and re-published as the product is now available in retail.
First seen at CES 2017, the Linksys Velop is finally here!
The Linksys Velop mesh networking system was announced at CES 2017 earlier this year, and now it is finally available in Singapore.
Mesh networking is the latest buzzword in home networking and it is touted to be able to effectively eradicate Wi-Fi dead spots in homes.
To put it briefly, a mesh network is a wireless distributed system that can be expanded by adding additional nodes to the network.
In the case of the Linksys Velop, these nodes communicate with each other using one of the Velop's three broadcasted networks. Since each Velop unit is effectively a tri-band router, each unit broadcasts a single 2.4GHz network and two 5GHz networks and it is intelligent enough to be able to pick out the best network for backhaul transmissions.
It differs from traditional range extenders because all range extenders do is amplify the signal. This explains why range extenders typically don't work so well - amplifying a weak signal just gives you a stronger version of that weak signal.
The Linksys Velop is really compact for a tri-band router.
Mesh networks, on the other hand, expand Wi-Fi coverage by passing data through various nodes at Wi-Fi speeds.
In the case of the Velop, Wi-Fi speeds refer to 867Mbps on the 5GHz network and 400Mbps on the 2.4GHz network. And since the 5GHz network provides more bandwidth, the Velop typically uses the second 5GHz network for backhaul communications. This also explains its AC2200 rating.
Linksys designed the Velop to fit into households and it certainly looks the part as it can easily blend in anywhere looking quite unlike a traditional router. It is also significantly more compact than most of today's monster routers.
Each Velop unit has two Gigabit Ethernet ports underneath - they are clever enough to auto-configure for LAN or WAN usage needs.
According to Linksys, each node expands Wi-Fi coverage by around 2,000 sq ft. Each node also comes with two Gigabit Ethernet ports, which can be used to connect to other devices like your TV, NAS, or even gaming console.
Expanded Wi-Fi coverage aside, the Velop was also designed to be easy to setup and use. For example, it provides a seamless networking experience, meaning users need not switch networks or SSIDs as they move from one node to the other and they will not experience sudden dropouts. All of that is taken care of automatically.
For even more details of how the Linksys Velop is put together, what makes it tick and how to set it up, we've got it all covered in our detailed preview article.
Price and Availability
The Linksys Velop will go on sale from 12 April exclusively on Hachi.tech.
For Challenger members, the single pack Velop is priced at S$339, while the 2-pack and 3-pack Velop bundles are priced at S$589 and S$719 respectively. Furthermore, if you happen to be one of the first 50 purchasers of the 2 and 3-pack Velop bundles from Hachi.tech, you will be able to get them at a special price of S$549 and S$669 respectively.
Wider availability will happen on next day on 13 April, where the Velop will go on sale at all Challenger stores. Again, if you happen to be one of the first 50 purchasers of the 2 and 3-pack Velop bundles, you will be able to get them at a special price of S$549 and S$669 respectively.
On 22 April, the Velop will be available at all Singtel stores. And finally, from 12 May onwards, the Velop will go on sale at all Atlas showrooms, all Newstead outlets, selected Popular outlets, and all authorized resellers.
The regular price of the Linksys Velop system is as follows:-
- Single pack Velop is S$349
- 2-pack Velop bundle is S$599
- 3-pack Velop bundles is S$749
Our articles may contain affiliate links. If you buy through these links, we may earn a small commission.