TP-Link boxes to compete with Fritzboxes
TP-Link announces three Wi-Fi 7 routers exclusively for Germany. The name is an allusion to the popular Fritzboxes: TP-Linkbox.
(Image: TP-Link)
The Chinese manufacturer TP-Link wants to challenge Fritz in the German router market. The name and the Germany-exclusive sale leave no doubt about this: the first of three TP-Link boxes will be released in Germany in July 2026.
The entry-level model TP-Linkbox 7 is making its debut. While it supports Wi-Fi 7, its functionality is limited. For example, the router omits a third radio band in the 6 GHz network. The later TP-Linkbox 7 Pro and TP-Linkbox 7 Pro Fiber might include this.
We wouldn't be surprised by a new user interface based on FritzOS to take market share from Fritz. Incidentally, D-Link tried this in 2007 with its Horstboxes, but failed.
DSL modem built-in
The initial TP-Linkbox 7 integrates a VDSL modem that can receive up to 300 Mbit/s. A separate modem is not necessary for a DSL connection. As is common with Fritzboxes, a DECT base for telephones is included.
Up to 2880 Mbit/s in the 5 GHz band and 690 Mbit/s at 2.4 GHz gross indicate two MIMO streams per band. According to the overview, there are USB and Ethernet ports, but TP-Link remains silent about their number and speed. Gigabit Ethernet seems likely for an entry-level model. The router is most comparable to the not yet available Fritzbox 7630.
Videos by heise
Pro Linkboxes to follow
The TP-Linkbox 7 Pro and the Fiber version for fiber optic connections are expected to follow later in the year, presumably with tri-band WLAN and faster Ethernet. The Fiber variant is likely to either integrate a module for Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) or provide a slot for Small Form-factor Pluggable (SFP or SFP+) modules. The manufacturer has so far remained silent about the prices of the three routers.
Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt
Mit Ihrer Zustimmung wird hier ein externer Preisvergleich (heise Preisvergleich) geladen.
Ich bin damit einverstanden, dass mir externe Inhalte angezeigt werden. Damit können personenbezogene Daten an Drittplattformen (heise Preisvergleich) übermittelt werden. Mehr dazu in unserer Datenschutzerklärung.
(mma)
