Linksys Unveils Instant Wireless Line of Products for Enhanced Networking Flexibility

Strategic Insights -

Linksys has announced the launch of its Instant Wireless line of products, designed to provide customers with a range of wireless networking solutions for both home and office use. The new line includes Access Points, PC Cards, PCI Adapters, USB Adapters, and Wireless Cable/DSL Routers, all of which operate at 11Mbps and deliver Ethernet-like networking speeds for sharing files, resources, and Internet access. These wireless devices are compliant with the IEEE 802.11b standard and feature 64-bit WEP data encryption for secure wireless data transmissions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Instant Wireless line includes a range of products such as Access Points, PC Cards, PCI Adapters, USB Adapters, and Wireless Cable/DSL Routers, all of which operate at 11Mbps.
  • The wireless devices are compliant with the IEEE 802.11b standard and feature 64-bit WEP data encryption for secure wireless data transmissions.
  • The Instant Wireless PCI Adapter serves as a PCI reader to enable desktop PCs with wire-free access to LAN resources, with an estimated street price of $49.
  • The Instant Wireless Access Point enables wireless notebook and desktop PCs to connect with Ethernet networks for sharing files, resources, and high-speed cable or DSL Internet connections, with an estimated street price of $249.99.
  • The Instant Wireless Cable/DSL Router + Print Server features a Cable/DSL Router, Wireless AP capabilities, and a Print Server, with an estimated street price of $299.
  • The Instant Wireless Cable/DSL Router + 4-Port Switch includes a 4-Port 10/100 Switch, Cable/DSL Router, NAT firewall security, and an IEEE 802.11b 11Mbps built-in Wireless AP, with an estimated street price of $399.
  • Linksys' products emphasize speed, affordability, reliability, ease of installation, and widespread compatibility.

Statistics:

  • The market share of Linksys in the retail channel is over 30% (over 3 1/2 years).
  • Linksys is the fastest growing networking hardware manufacturer in the distribution channel.
  • Linksys has been the lead seller of networking hardware online through E-tailers.
  • The operating range of the Instant Wireless devices is up to 164 feet indoors and 820 feet outdoors at the 11Mbps range (depending on environments).
  • The Instant Wireless devices can extend the operating range up to 492 feet indoors and 1,640 feet outdoors in some instances utilizing 1Mbps range.

Sources:

  • "New Linksys Wireless PC Cards, PCI Readers, USB adapters, Access Points And Wireless Cable/DSL Routers Make Wireless Networking Flexible in the Home and Office" (PRNewswire, January 3, 2001)
  • "About The Linksys Group, Inc." (Linksys Web site, www.linksys.com)