Billion releases 1.6 gigabits per second Wireless AC router in Australia

Networking equipment manufacturer Billion has announced the Australian release of its BiPAC 8800AXL router, which promises users Wi-Fi speeds of up to 1.6 gigabits per second over a home or office wireless network.

The new device, based on a Broadcom chipset, is the first Billion device to support the IEEE 802.11 ac standard, also known as Wireless AC, in Australia.

Billion claims the device is four times faster than routers supporting the 802.11n (Wireless N) standard.

The device features an Ethernet Wide Area Network port to connect to the NBN, but can also be used with ADSL2 connections.

The device combines 300 megabits per second on the 2.4GHz frequency range and a further 1300Mb/s on the 5GHz band to provide a total speed of 1.6Gb/s.

It also includes four additional gigabit ethernet ports plus two USB 2.0 ports, allowing for 3G/4G modem connectivity, print serving or Network-Attached Storage.

Billion’s exclusive Australian distributor, PCRange, will market the BiPAC 8800AXL through its national network of resellers.

PCRange chief executive Raaj Menon describes the 8800AXL as being “blazingly fast”.

“With Wireless AC and gigabit Ethernet ports, the 8800AXL is designed for the age of fibre. But its Broadcom chipset means it will deliver fast reliable Internet access over ADSL2+ until fibre arrives.”

The device, which should be available during the third week of March, will carry an Australian recommended retail price of $239.