MANHASSET, N.Y. —l WLAN equipment vendor Monday introduced a system that combines wireless LAN equipment with networking over in-wall power lines.
The system consists of a powerline-enabled broadband router/access point and an Ethernet Bridge, the company said in a statement. The system enables extension of the wireless network to any area of a building in which there are electric outlets, the company said. The system is aimed at home users.
The Ethernet bridge, when connected to a wireless router, activates all electric outlets in the building for Internet access, according to the company. Then, the router/access point can be plugged in anywhere in the building and provide wireless access from that point.
The system uses technology from Intellon that adheres to the HomePlug standard for data transmission through electric lines.
"For homes with difficult-to-reach zones, powerline technology is an excellent plug-and-play solution, complementing wireless technology to accommodate home users with the best of both worlds, enabling a fast, secure and easy-to-use wireless home networking without the limitation of range" Vivek Pathela, Netgear's senior director for home products, said in a statement.
The kit costs $179, the company said.
