The big problem faced by users who want to adopt a smart home is the speed of the Internet connection. As we connect devices to the home network, such as doorbells with cameras, smart locks or even smart curtains, our wireless network begins to become saturated and devices perform increasingly poorly due to bandwidth reduced availability.
Today, TCL presented several solutions to this problem, which use the latest wireless technologies; These routers and access points will be available at the beginning of 2025, but the company has already been able to put forward several details during the Broadband World Forum 2024 which is being held in Paris.
For starters, TCL showed off a device that could be ideal for users who can’t install fiber optics in their homes for whatever reason or who prefer wireless connectivity. The TCL Linkhub 5G HH516 is a CPE (all-in-one modem and router) compatible with 5G capable of reaching speeds of up to 7.01 Gbps download; This should be enough for most homes and uses, even if multiple devices are connected at the same time. In fact, the other major advance is found in compatibility with WiFi 7, the new version of the standard that allows up to 512 simultaneous connections, with a maximum speed of up to 7.2 Gbps.
To achieve these numbers, the device not only has high gain antennas, but it also uses AI computing to identify trafficprioritize certain applications and reduce latency. AI is also used in the new ECO mode, which automatically adjusts the power to reduce energy consumption and increase the lifespan of the device.
Also linked to 5G, TCL announced the first devices compatible with RedCap, a new specification of 5G designed for the smart home and the Internet of Things. Although RedCap doesn’t achieve the same speeds as a typical 5G connection, it is more efficient and better suited to wearables and sensors, as well as home devices such as cameras. TCL will begin supporting this technology with the Linkport IK511, a small “dongle” weighing just 28.7 grams that offers this connection to any USB device.
TCL LinkHub HH526
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The big advantage of 5G is that it is not limited to a fiber installation. This is evident with the TCL Linkhub HH526, an outdoor unit that lets you get 5G speeds of up to 7.01Gbps wherever there is coverage; It is able to adapt to all types of environments, thanks to its slim design.
TCL also presented new features for homes that already have or will install fiber optic, with the Linkbase FG7720. This router is capable of GPON (Gigabit over fiber optic) speeds and features dual-band WiFi 7 for speeds up to 7.2 Gbps.
The price of these devices has not yet been confirmed, but TCL was able to announce that they will be available from 2025; with the exception of the “dongle” compatible with RedCap, whose adoption for the moment has only been confirmed by American operators such as AT&T and T-Mobile. However, companies like Telefónica have already carried out tests with this technology, so it is expected that in the future it will also be available in Europe.
