CommScope (NASDAQ: COMM) on May 19 introduced additions to its portfolio of access points supporting Wi-Fi 6 technology, bringing the benefits of higher data rates, increased capacity, improved power efficiency and better performance in environments with multiple connected devices.
In addition to the Ruckus R750 Wi-Fi Certified 6 access point (AP), introduced last year, CommScope has now added the R850, R650 and R550 indoor APs, and the T750 and T750SE outdoor APs. The APs will be Wi-Fi Certified 6 and are optimized for highly dense environments such as educational campuses, hotels and other venues such as airports and stadiums.
A summary of each new AP is as follows. The award-winning Ruckus portfolio of access points now includes:
- R850: A Wi-Fi 6 8x8:8 indoor access point with 5.9 Gbps speeds and embedded IoT. The R850 delivers the highest Wi-Fi performance of any AP on the market to ensure the best experiences in the harshest environments.
- R750: A Wi-Fi 6 4x4:4 indoor access point with 3.5 Gbps speeds and embedded IoT. The R750 is the industry’s first Wi-Fi Certified 6 access point and a Wi-Fi Alliance testbed unit that validates other devices for Wi-Fi 6 interoperability.
- R650: A Wi-Fi 6 4x4:4 indoor access point with 3 Gbps speeds and embedded IoT. This addition upgrades the popular R600 series to include Wi-Fi 6.
- R550: A Wi-Fi 6 2x2:2 indoor access point with 1.8 Gbps speeds and embedded IoT. This AP brings superior Wi-Fi 6 performance to the mainstream at a great price, along with native IoT support as included in all Ruckus Wi-Fi 6 APs.
- T750: A Wi-Fi 6 4x4:4 outdoor access point with 3.5 Gbps speeds and embedded IoT. The industry’s first outdoor Wi-Fi 6 Certified AP delivers outstanding Wi-Fi performance to outdoor environments.
- T750SE: A Wi-Fi 6 4x4:4 outdoor access point with 3.5 Gbps speeds, embedded IoT, and sectorized antennas. The T750SE surgically delivers bandwidth to seating in stadiums and other large venues.
The R650 and T750 began shipping in Q1 2020 while the R550 and R850 will begin shipping in Q2 2020. The T750SE will begin shipping in Q3 2020.
CommScope notes that wireless networks today have expanded beyond Wi-Fi to include different IoT wireless technologies for multiple use cases from asset tracking to connected door locks. This has led to unmanageable, expensive, siloed wireless networks.
CommScope says the new line of APs spearheads an end-to-end converged architecture, eliminating overlay networks, and allowing cost savings and easy management using a variety of management options including the SmartZone Network Controller, ZoneDirector, Ruckus Cloud and Ruckus Unleashed feature sets.
“Qualcomm Technologies launched our Wi-Fi 6 platforms to meet the demands of the most challenging and congested environments with an advanced Wi-Fi 6 technology approach,” offers Nick Kucharewski, vice president and general manager, wireless infrastructure and networking, Qualcomm Technologies, Inc. “We applaud CommScope’s right-minded embrace of essential Wi-Fi 6 features and its innovation pace in delivering high-performance experiences with Qualcomm Networking Pro Series Platforms across their Ruckus Wi-Fi portfolio.”
The new APs also deliver comprehensive network intelligence powered by machine learning and artificial intelligence through the Ruckus Analytics capability.
“With the increase in video-centric learning, whether that be remote, onsite, in a classroom or dorm room, we are finding that our more than 11,000 students across our four campuses in Gyeongju, South Korea want better Wi-Fi connections,” asserts Eunhyun Kim, manager of the Information Planning Department at South Korea's Dongguk Gyeongju University (Seoul). “The Ruckus portfolio from CommScope enables us to stay current with the demands of an ever-changing student population and helps our university remain one of the most prestigious private universities in the nation.”
“Teachers, students and administrators expect us to be responsive, and we expect the same of our vendors,” adds Jeff Baird, technical director for Huntington ISD [Integrated School District] in Huntington, TX. “We’ve stayed away from online testing using Chromebooks because we knew the legacy network couldn’t support it. The administration wants everything fixed and working. They’re on the front lines, fielding complaints from teachers and parents. Once we made the change to Ruckus, the complaints disappeared.”
CommScope says that technologies found in the new Ruckus APs such as BeamFlex and the Ultra-High-Density Technology Suite enable customers like Dongguk Gyeongju University and Huntington ISD to meet the needs of their users.
BeamFlex is a patented technology that automatically adjusts antenna patterns in real-time to minimize interference obstacles while delivering the best performance to every device. The Ruckus Ultra-High-Density Technology Suite is a collection of features and technologies designed to improve network performance and end-user experience in ultra-high dense environments. These unique technologies, as well as the company's relationship with partners and vendors, set the Ruckus portfolio apart from other platforms, maintains CommScope.
“The new Wi-Fi 6 access points with patented and unique technologies offers the very best enterprise solutions to meet the growing demand for connectivity,” concludes Bart Giordano, senior vice president, Product Management for CommScope’s Ruckus portfolio. “We continue to invest in the enterprise Wi-Fi space and with the addition of the recently launched Ruckus Analytics, we are already seeing a positive impact with our customers.”
Learn more at www.commscope.com.