I have two WiFi routers/access points in my 2-story apartment so I can switch between the two anytime one of them goes down. However, the WiFi signal is sometimes a bit weak in a few areas so I thought a stronger draft-N would solve that problem.
Turns out there’s another way to get around that. The device transforms the entire power-line in your house or building into a wired network of sorts. The distributor sent me a 2 demo units to test out and it’s called the Edimax 200Mbps PowerLine Adapter with 150Mbps Wireless Access Point (yes, a mouthful). Now, that’s internet over powerlines! (on a micro-level, of course).
You need to have at least two of these to work. The first one, you plug into the wall socket and hook it up to your DSL router. The second one, you plug it into another wall socket where you want your WiFi to be extended. Just make sure both devices are plugged into the same electrical wiring network of your house or building.
Internet connectivity will flow from your DSL router to the first device, then to the powerlines going to the second device. The second device can then serve as a WiFi access point with a local speed of up to 150Mbps. At the same time, the device also has a LAN port you can plug into if your PC or workstation does not have WiFi capabilities.
I think this is best for multi-storey buildings like hotels or resorts where cottages or villas are spaced far apart. The main purpose here really is to eliminate the need for adding more wires since the powerlines can be a substitute.
It’s got some limitations though like the powerline coverage is only up to 200meters (distance between two devices over the powerlines). The WiFi access point has a maximum speed of 150Mbps while the PowerLine Adapter can carry up to 200Mbps. The units are not yet available in stores but estimated retail price is Php3,500 each.
I have two WiFi routers/access points in my 2-story apartment so I can switch between the two anytime one of them goes down.
<– Why need to specify 2-story apartment when you can simply say 'I have two WiFi routers/access points in apartment'? Hehehehe! You are not boastful is it?
Boss kaya may 2 storey yan is to know na yun isa nasa taas yun isa nasa baba.. pag sinabi naman nya i have two wifi routers at my house pano mo malalaman kung saan nya nilagay wifi router nya at take note may dead spot pa nga sya …
kung bibili ka nga ng router sa shop, at tatanong mo kung ano coverage eh tinatanong ng mga SALES kung gaano kalaki bahay mo… alangan sabihin mo sa SALES.. “ah basta BAHAY”?
paano pag brown-out?
joke!
We live in a townhouse with the modem on the G/F and our room in the attic. Is is probably our only option (other than dropping a LAN cable out our window all the way down to the G/F). Been seeing Cisco/Linksys version of this online for years, but I agree it’s a tad bit expensive. Plus, I’m not sure it can withstand the massive power fluctuations we’ve been having lately.
yung PC ko sa office naka ganyan, pero yung wired.. nasa testing stage na kasi ng PLDT yang BOPL = Broadband Over Power Lines…
Linksys has this product for years already.
beta testing palang siguro sa US noon yan eh ngayon ok na kaya for commercial use na dito sa atin :)
sa US ko ito nakikita dun sa bahay ng friend ko…usong uso toh dun…grabe tagal na ito ha…ngayon lang dumating sa pinas?
It’s practical enough for use if wi-fi signals won’t budge thru the walls and if the powerlines are clean and you know your power circuit layout around the house.
I’ll stick with a wireless router instead.
astig…. good timing I was thinking of buying another access point to cover the whole house. thanks abe! I wish we’ll know when will this be available on the market.
This device is being used in U.S. for a long time already. Di lang nag click sa pinas because of price, and I believe some “fairy tales” about how our electricity work in our country.
I’ve actually seen this device 10 years ago on an old computer television show, but it’s slower than the 10mbps LAN and prone to interference.
Estimated retail price is Php3,500 each.
Meralco Communications. hehe!
internet over powerlines, interesting indeed. i hope its cheap :D
interesting! i wonder how much it is.
galing naman. ya yuga the best to sa mga hotel or resort. Pero sa bahay sayang lang kasi isp net speed ng smartbro/globe tatoo bro/sun bro ay up to 1mbps/2mbps/3mpbs. Sayang ung 197mbps. hehehe.
I’ve seen similar devices before already. Though the ones available before did not come with a wireless access point, simply for a wired network. I do believe CDRking has one too.
On another note, I do remember reading an article somewhere about Meralco testing Internet over power lines too. That was 2 years ago I think. Any news on that Sir Abe?
is this a router? or you should buy router so that this could be use..
@nicolo – will get back to you on that.
@patricross – yes, WiFi draft-N compatible.
Abe,
Is this wireless N already?
How much is the device and where can we buy one? Thanks