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Netgear range extender gets true dual-band

Netgear announced at CES 2012 its first range extender that supports concurrent dual-band, which extends the range of both the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands at the same time.

Dong Ngo SF Labs Manager, Editor / Reviews
CNET editor Dong Ngo has been involved with technology since 2000, starting with testing gadgets and writing code for CNET Labs' benchmarks. He now manages CNET San Francisco Labs, reviews 3D printers, networking/storage devices, and also writes about other topics from online security to new gadgets and how technology impacts the life of people around the world.
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The Universal Dual-Band WiFi Range Extender being unveiled at CES 2012.
The Universal Dual-Band WiFi Range Extender being unveiled at CES 2012. Dong Ngo/CNET

LAS VEGAS--If you have a true dual-band router and want to extend the range of both the 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz bands at the same time, Netgear has something to offer.

The Universal Dual-Band WiFi Range Extender from Netgear.
The Universal Dual-Band WiFi Range Extender from Netgear. Dong Ngo/CNET

The company unveiled today at CES 2012 the Universal Dual-Band WiFi Range Extender (model WN2500RP), its first dual-band extender that can extend the range of both bands at the same time. All you need to do is place the device in between the existing wireless router and the area that needs coverage and use Wi-Fi Protected Setup to connect the two. Your Wi-Fi network will then be extended further.

According to David Henry, vice president of product management at Netgear, other than the support for simultaneous dual-band, the WN2500RP also comes with Netgear's FastLane Technology designed specifically for range extenders. This allows consumers to opt to use a performance-optimized operating mode that is ideal for HD video streaming and online gaming. In addition, the Dual Band WiFi Range Extender supports up to four Ethernet-ready devices (non-Wi-Fi).

The new Universal Dual-Band WiFi Range Extender is available now and costs around $90.