TP-LINK Launches New Powerline Networking Bundle

by Kevin Parrish March 3, 2014 at 2:50 PM

Looking for a way to extend the range of your wireless network? Why not use your current electrical system? Networking provider TP-LINK launched on Thursday the WPA4220KIT, a Wireless Range Extender Kit that uses Powerline and 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi technology to extend network coverage in a home or office. This kit is cheap too, costing a mere $59.99.

The setup is simple. Merely plug one into the electrical outlet and connect it via Ethernet to the router. This adapter will feed the network connection through the existing electrical system at the rate of 500 Mbps. Plug the other Wi-Fi adapter into any electrical outlet up to 1,000 feet of electrical circuitry, and the two will automatically connect. This second adapter provides two Ethernet ports and a Wireless N signal up to 300 Mbps.

"Users can easily set up the TL-WPA4220KIT with the built-in Pair and Wi-Fi Clone Buttons, which quickly establish a secure 128-bit AES encrypted connection while cloning the wireless network name and password of the connected router," reads the company's announcement. "The kit can be relocated for optimal coverage, providing seamless network roaming without requiring users to repeat the set up process."

This solution should be ideal for multi-level houses and offices that have areas where a normal Wi-Fi signal can't reach.

Want a faster signal? TP-Link also serves up the AV600 Gigabit Powerline Adapter starter kit. This bundle doesn't provide Wi-Fi connectivity, but promises data transfer rates up to 600 Mbps on an electrical line length of up to nearly 1,000 feet. Like the other bundle, one adapter connects to the router and the other adapter could serve as a one-port media bridge for a game console or HDTV.

The company also offers the AV500 Nano Powerline Adapter starter kit, which features adapters that are smaller than the standard Powerline model. This bundle also doesn't provide Wi-Fi connectivity, and sends data across the electrical line at speeds up to 500 Mbps. This set would be ideal in offices that don't want a large adapter sticking out of the wall.

To see the company's full range of Powerline adapters and starter kits, head here.

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Kevin Parrish @tomsguide

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Haravikk 4 years ago

Personally I don't see the point in this; I'm using TP-Link's power line adapters to replace wireless entirely. I mean, I suppose it does make a neat alternative to a router sitting on a desk somewhere, but if you're putting power line in anyway then you only really want wireless for your mobile devices and nothing else.I just wish TP-Link would make a modular version of their passthrough models, rather than making all these different models with no AC passthrough at all; power line devices don't run well from extension blocks, which means you lose a wall socket to use them. At least with AC passthrough you can still plug stuff in. With a modular design they could just provide a single, powered, gigabit ethernet port, and then sell you your choice of add-on giving you either a gigabit switch or WiFi.It would make things easier for everyone. Here's hoping also that the power line specification passes 500mbps at some point too. Granted I'm currently still on 200mbps, though that's still more than enough for internet access, but true gigabit networking without running ethernet cables everywhere would be sweet.

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