NETGEAR DEBUTS WORLD’S FIRST TRI-BAND AC5300 WAVE 2 QUAD-STREAM WIFI VDSL/ADSL GATEWAY ROUTER

SAN JOSE, California, — December  6, 2016 — Netgear®, Inc. (NASDAQ: NTGR), the leading provider of networking products that power today’s smart home, is launching, a CES Innovation Award Honoree, the NETGEAR Nighthawk® X8 AC5300 Tri-Band WiFi VDSL/ADSL Modem Router (D8500) for families who want to upgrade their DSL subscriber experience with best-in-class technology. This new DSL edition of the multiple award-winning Nighthawk X8 WiFi Router, offers the same industry-leading Tri-band, Quad-Stream performance and powerful 1.4GHz dual core processor, but now with an embedded DSL modem supporting ADSL/ADSL2/ADSL2+ and VDSL/VDSL2 speeds. The two-in-one design combines the WiFi Router and VDSL modem in a single unit reducing wiring hassles and with a smaller footprint so it can better blend into your home.

With the ever growing number of internet-connected WiFi devices in the home and the growing trend of smart devices that also depend on connectivity, today’s home network will often suffer bandwidth constraints when multiple family members are streaming 4K HD, playing online games, or downloading files all at the same time.  Tri-band WiFi intelligently segments these devices on different WiFi bands for the best customer experience.

The four external active antennas and four internal antennas amplify the WiFi range for the new Nighthawk X8 AC5300 WiFi VDSL/ADSL Modem Router, ensuring the bandwidth required to support the numerous connected devices that are on a home network. The Nighthawk X8 provides a built-in fast DSL modem for broadband that is compatible with legacy ADSL, ADSL2 and ADSL2+ connections as well as lightning-fast VDSL and VDSL2 speeds. With Tri-Band WiFi and Quad Stream performance, Nighthawk X8 boasts combined wireless speeds up to an astonishingly fast 5.3Gbps.* With Multi-User MIMO (MU-MIMO), Nighthawk X8 can be even more efficient by streaming to multiple  devices simultaneously.  The Six Gigabit Ethernet ports means even more wired devices can connect, and by leveraging port aggregation, two ports combine to more than 1Gbps speeds for wired connections to a compatible NAS.

Households who find their online entertainment hindered by the slower performance of their older DSL equipment will want to upgrade their WiFi modem router to the Nighthawk X8 in order to enjoy an unmatched experience for smartphones, notebooks, tablets, smart TVs, gaming consoles, Blu-ray® players, and media servers. With a Gigabit Ethernet WAN port, the Nighthawk X8 is compatible with a cable or fiber modem for universal Internet service options. 

“Adding the Nighthawk X8 AC5300 WiFi VDSL/ADSL Modem Router to your home network is the easiest path to giving your internet service a performance boost. This best-in-class modem router combines the best DSL technology with the tri-band Quad stream, which is indispensable when multiple household members are streaming HD content or playing online games simultaneously,” said Sandeep Harpalani, senior director of Netgear product marketing for Home Consumer Products. “The Nighthawk X8 opens the bandwidth floodgates, with up to four data streams on each of the three WiFi bands, so that everyone in your home can happily stream, game, surf, and share HD media, without noticing a blip in performance. 

Key Technical Features for Speed, Range and Reliability

• Tri-band, quad-stream WiFi intelligently connects more devices to the fastest WiFi band possible and increases overall network speed, for a combined speed up to an amazing 5.3Gbps* (1000Mbps + 2166Mbps +2166Mbps) with 1024 QAM support.

• The embedded fast DSL modem supports legacy ADSL/ADSL2/ADSL2+ as well as lightning-fast VDSL/VDSL2 speeds.

• A powerful 1.4GHz dual core processor delivers faster speeds for improved WiFi, wired and USB performance.

• Smart Connect intelligently designates slower and faster devices to separate WiFi bands for their best possible wireless speed so you can game, stream, or download mega-size files without lags.

• 6 Gigabit Ethernet LAN ports connect more wired devices and have the ability to aggregate two ports to double the gigabit connection to your NAS for 4K HD streaming and faster file transfers and backups.

• 8 antennas include 4 patent-pending external Active Antennas that enhance weak signals and reduce interference.

• Dynamic QoS for intelligent prioritization of bandwidth by device and application for jitter-free video streaming or online gaming.

• MU-MIMO-capable technology designed for simultaneous streaming to multiple devices provides major performance improvements with next-generation mobile devices (as long as both router and client device support MU-MIMO).

• Beamforming+ boosts speed, reliability and range by focusing WiFi signals directly at connected devices.

Key Technical Features for Speed, Range and Reliability

• Netgear genie® app is a personal dashboard that includes remote access to make it easy to install, monitor, control and repair your home network when you’re away from home.

• ReadyCLOUD® USB access enables you to enjoy personal and secure cloud access to USB storage anytime, anywhere.

• ReadySHARE Vault™, a free software application, automatically backs up PCs on your network to a USB hard drive connected to the router.

• Security features include Enhanced Parental Controls for web filtering, VPN support for remote access to your network and Internet when away from home, separate guest network access, and a customized free URL to create a personal FTP server.

• Netgear MyMedia® enables you to find and play your stored media from anywhere on your network to your DLNA®-ready TVs and music system.

• 2 USB ports for easy access and transfer of your content, including one SuperSpeed USB 3.0 port that offers high-speed, storage-ready access up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0.

Pricing and Availability 

The Netgear Nighthawk X8 AC5300 WiFi VDSL/ADSL Modem Router (D8500) is available now from major retailers in stores and online at an RRP of $799.99 in the Australia and New Zealand.

About Netgear, Inc.

Netgear (NASDAQ: NTGR) is a global networking company that delivers innovative products to consumers, businesses and service providers. The Company's products are built on a variety of proven technologies such as wireless (WiFi and LTE), Ethernet and powerline, with a focus on reliability and ease-of-use. The product line consists of wired and wireless devices that enable networking, broadband access and network connectivity. These products are available in multiple configurations to address the needs of the end-users in each geographic region in which the Company's products are sold. Netgear products are sold in approximately 28,000 retail locations around the globe, and through approximately 29,000 value-added resellers, as well as multiple major cable, mobile and wireline service providers around the world. The company's headquarters are in San Jose, Calif., with additional offices in approximately 25 countries. More information is available from the Netgear investor page or by calling (408) 907-8000. Connect with Netgear on Twitter and Facebook.

©2016 Netgear, Inc. Netgear, the Netgear logo, Netgear genie, MyMedia, Nighthawk, ReadyCLOUD, ReadyNAS, ReadySHARE and ReadySHARE Vault are trademarks and/or registered trademarks of Netgear, Inc. and/or its affiliates in the United States and/or other countries. Other brand and product names are for identification purposes only and may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holder(s). The information contained herein is subject to change without notice. Netgear shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. All rights reserved.

* Maximum wireless signal rate derived from IEEE standard 802.11 specifications. AC5300 equals 1000Mbps + 2166Mbps +2166Mbps. Performance Mode requires 1024 QAM support on WiFi client for 2.4/5GHz. Up to 1000/2166Mbps wireless speeds possible when connecting to other 1000 @2.4GHz/ 2166 @5GHz 802.11ac Mbps devices. Actual data throughput and wireless coverage will vary. Network conditions and environmental factors, including volume of network traffic, building materials and construction, and network overhead, lower actual data throughput rate and wireless coverage. NETGEAR makes no express or implied representations or warranties about this product’s compatibility with any future standards.

MU-MIMO capability requires both router and client device to support MU-MIMO.

Safe Harbor Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 for Netgear, Inc.: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Specifically, statements concerning Netgear 's business and the expected performance characteristics, specifications, reliability, market acceptance, market growth, specific uses, user feedback and market position of Netgear's products and technology are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Safe Harbor. These statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, the following: the actual price, performance and ease-of-use of Netgear's products may not meet the price, performance and ease-of-use requirements of customers; product performance may be adversely affected by real world operating conditions; failure of products may under certain circumstances cause permanent loss of end user data; new viruses or Internet threats may develop that challenge the effectiveness of security features in Netgear 's products; the ability of Netgear to market and sell its products and technology; the impact and pricing of competing products; and the introduction of alternative technological solutions. Further information on potential risk factors that could affect Netgear and its business are detailed in the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Netgear undertakes no obligation to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

Source: Netgear-G

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