Weatherproof and PoE-powered: Fritzbox 6860 5G outdoor router now available
Unlike conventional 5G routers, the new Fritzbox 6860 5G can withstand harsh weather and benefits from better mobile network levels outside the building.
The new, weatherproof Fritzbox 6860 5G draws power via the Ethernet cable, which is supplied by a small injector. A pre-production sample that has already been tested also made do with a switch that supplies power in accordance with 8023at.
According to the manufacturer AVM, the Fritzbox 6860 5G, which was presented to the public at the IFA in Berlin and the MWC, is now available in stores. The Wi-Fi router designed for fast mobile internet is the first from AVM to be powered via the Ethernet cable in accordance with Power over Ethernet (PoE, IEEE 802.3at) and is also the first weatherproof router from AVM; it is protected against splash water in accordance with IP54.
Operation outside the window
This means it can easily be operated outside a window, for example. But it can also be set up inside buildings; AVM includes two different adapters for this purpose. The box uses three LEDs on the outside and a detailed alignment guide in the web interface to show how suitable a position is.
Its cellular modem communicates with both non-standalone networks (NSA with 5G antennas and LTE core network) and standalone networks (SA with 5G antennas and 5G core network). As is usual with 5G devices, the modem generates up to four MIMO streams for four antennas and draws a maximum of 1.3 gigabits per second from the Internet via these. AVM has provided the Wi-Fi module, which works in accordance with Wi-Fi 6 (only dual-band for 2.4 and 5 GHz and only 2Ă—2 MIMO), for forwarding data in the home. The communication center includes a DECT module that connects up to 6 cordless telephones and up to 50 smart home devices (DECT).
The box forwards telephone signals to the Internet via Voice over LTE and Voice over New Radio. The smart home technology Zigbee, which other current Fritzboxes have received, is missing. Alternatively, you can connect a Fritz repeater or a Fritzbox 4050 via the Gigabit LAN connection of the supplied PoE inketor to improve the Wi-Fi and DECT coverage indoors.
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Already tested
We took a close look at a pre-release version of the Fritzbox 6860 5G back in October as part of a comparison test. In the article "Desktop fireworks: Five 5G routers for wireless gigabit Internet", you will not only find many other technical features (router equipment such as frequency bands, mesh, VPN, parental controls and much more), but also mobile network measurements under rural and urban conditions (countryside/hotspot), Wi-Fi throughput, power consumption and many other data that will help you make your purchase decision.
The FRITZ!Box 6860 5G is now available in stores for 489 euros (RRP).
(dz)
