A decade ago, an internet connection typically serviced one computer. But now, with the profusion of computing devices of all shapes and sizes, most average households have routers that blanket their dwellings with wireless internet. However, WiFi has its limitations – as those with thick walls or multi-storey homes have discovered. In large office spaces, where entire cubicle farms need to be connected, the problem is even more acute.

TP-Link has a solution, in the form of its AV200 Nano Powerline Adaptor that takes advantage of existing infrastructure to deliver lossless connectivity to spaces that are tricky to reach otherwise. The product, which consists of two adaptors which plug into standard electrical wall sockets, transmits internet signal over power cables. One adaptor will need to be plugged into the internet source through an Ethernet cable. The other adaptor will act as an outlet that can either be plugged directly into a computer or into another router to create a separate network in the new location.

In our testing, the Powerline Adaptor managed to transfer a 100 mbps signal over a power line without any significant deterioration in network speeds. The two adaptors need to be paired before usage. This is done through a very straightforward one-button operation that enables 128-bit encryption of data transferred through the devices.

The AV200 Nano supports local network transfers at up to 200 mbps and has a range of 300 meters.

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