A few days apart, Orange and SFR are launching their respective Wi-Fi repeaters, both Wi-Fi 6 compatible but each with their own distinctive approach.
The Orange Wi-Fi 6 repeater can be installed directly on a wall outlet. (screenshot)
Two products, two methods. In a few days, two new Wi-Fi repeaters hit the market, coming from Orange and then SFR. Devices that both offer access to Wi-Fi 6, but respond to very different issues between the two operators.
Orange brings Wi-Fi 6 to its Livebox 4 and 5
Orange Wi-Fi repeater 6
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TP-Link RE650
Best price: 75.6 €
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Netgear EX6130
Best price: 39.99 €
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Netgear Nighthawk EX7300
Best price: 82.99 €
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TP-Link Deco X60
Best price: 299.99 €
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Netgear Orbi RBK352
Best price: 208 €
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TP-Link RE605x
Best price: 66.99 €
On the side of the former Spain Telecom, it was to offer Wi-Fi 6 without users having to change their box. The project was already the subject of rumors at the end of 2020, and it has just taken shape with this new box which is similar to an access point. It connects to Livebox 4 and 5 via Ethernet and configures itself automatically by selecting the optimal frequency band and channel. In this "access point" configuration, it then replaces the Wi-Fi of the Livebox so as to offer a faster one. It is also possible to connect your Orange decoder - TV 4 and UHD models - to the box via Wi-Fi. The latter has a Dual Band Wi-Fi 802.11ax 5 GHz 4x4 / 2.4 GHz 2x2 system and two Gigabit ports Ethernet.
Small peculiarity, the Orange Wi-Fi 6 box can be attached directly to a wall outlet, thus avoiding cable clutter. It can also turn into a Wi-Fi repeater in order to extend the signal range of the box, which then limits the standard to Wi-Fi 5. The box, available since April 8 at a price of 89 €, is also included on request in all Up xDSL and Fiber offers, with an activation fee of € 10 and within the limit of one WiFi 6 repeater per Up or Jet access.
SFR strengthens the Wi-Fi 6 of its Box 8
SFR Smart Wi-Fi Repeater
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TP-Link RE650
Best price: 75.6 €
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Netgear EX6130
Best price: 39.99 €
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Netgear Nighthawk EX7300
Best price: 82.99 €
-
TP-Link Deco X60
Best price: 299.99 €
-
Netgear Orbi RBK352
Best price: 208 €
-
TP-Link RE605x
Best price: 66.99 €
The brand with the red square, meanwhile, already has Wi-Fi 6 on its SFR Box 8, launched in the summer of 2019. But it took a while to release its own compatible repeater. Here is the Smart Wi-Fi, which will be available from April 13. This repeater is equipped with the same Dual Band system as at Orange, for a theoretical cumulative bandwidth of 5,4 Gbits / s announced by SFR. The small box will make it possible to extend the coverage of the Wi-Fi network of the SFR boxes, which can be practical in two-story houses, fairly large dwellings or even apartments where interference makes it difficult to capture the network without -wire.
This product is available as an option for all new SFR Box 8 customers, at a rate of € 3 per month and per repeater and within the limit of two devices. It will be accessible to all Box 8 Fiber, THD, then ADSL subscribers "in the coming weeks".
