Edimax PowerLine Adapter & Wireless AP

I have two WiFi routers/access points in my 2-story apartment so I can switch between the two anytime one of them goes down. However, the WiFi signal is sometimes a bit weak in a few areas so I thought a stronger draft-N would solve that problem.

Turns out there’s another way to get around that. The device transforms the entire power-line in your house or building into a wired network of sorts. The distributor sent me a 2 demo units to test out and it’s called the Edimax 200Mbps PowerLine Adapter with 150Mbps Wireless Access Point (yes, a mouthful). Now, that’s internet over powerlines! (on a micro-level, of course).

You need to have at least two of these to work. The first one, you plug into the wall socket and hook it up to your DSL router. The second one, you plug it into another wall socket where you want your WiFi to be extended. Just make sure both devices are plugged into the same electrical wiring network of your house or building.

Internet connectivity will flow from your DSL router to the first device, then to the powerlines going to the second device. The second device can then serve as a WiFi access point with a local speed of up to 150Mbps. At the same time, the device also has a LAN port you can plug into if your PC or workstation does not have WiFi capabilities.

I think this is best for multi-storey buildings like hotels or resorts where cottages or villas are spaced far apart. The main purpose here really is to eliminate the need for adding more wires since the powerlines can be a substitute.

It’s got some limitations though like the powerline coverage is only up to 200meters (distance between two devices over the powerlines). The WiFi access point has a maximum speed of 150Mbps while the PowerLine Adapter can carry up to 200Mbps. The units are not yet available in stores but estimated retail price is Php3,500USD 60INR 5,056EUR 57CNY 434 each.

Abe Olandres

Abe is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of YugaTech with over 20 years of experience in the technology industry. He is one of the pioneers of blogging in the country and considered by many as the Father of Tech Blogging in the Philippines. He is also a technology consultant, a tech columnist with several national publications, resource speaker and mentor/advisor to several start-up companies.

https://www.yugatech.com

30 Comments

Nicolo Marvin Dy Quieng says:

15 years ago

How much is the device and where can we buy one? Thanks
- Reply
patrickross says:

15 years ago

Abe,

Is this wireless N already?
- Reply
Abe Olandres says:

15 years ago

@nicolo – will get back to you on that.

@patricross – yes, WiFi draft-N compatible.
- Reply
Nicolo Marvin Dy Quieng says:

15 years ago

is this a router? or you should buy router so that this could be use..
- Reply
Jon says:

15 years ago

I’ve seen similar devices before already. Though the ones available before did not come with a wireless access point, simply for a wired network. I do believe CDRking has one too.

On another note, I do remember reading an article somewhere about Meralco testing Internet over power lines too. That was 2 years ago I think. Any news on that Sir Abe?
- Reply
Giogagz says:

15 years ago

galing naman. ya yuga the best to sa mga hotel or resort. Pero sa bahay sayang lang kasi isp net speed ng smartbro/globe tatoo bro/sun bro ay up to 1mbps/2mbps/3mpbs. Sayang ung 197mbps. hehehe.
- Reply
pao says:

15 years ago

interesting! i wonder how much it is.
- Reply
skagen says:

15 years ago

internet over powerlines, interesting indeed. i hope its cheap :D
- Reply
daddy joey says:

15 years ago

Meralco Communications. hehe!
- Reply
Abe Olandres says:

15 years ago

Estimated retail price is Php3,500 each.
- Reply
marvin says:

15 years ago

This device is being used in U.S. for a long time already. Di lang nag click sa pinas because of price, and I believe some “fairy tales” about how our electricity work in our country.

I’ve actually seen this device 10 years ago on an old computer television show, but it’s slower than the 10mbps LAN and prone to interference.
- Reply
rye says:

15 years ago

astig…. good timing I was thinking of buying another access point to cover the whole house. thanks abe! I wish we’ll know when will this be available on the market.
- Reply
kevinn says:

15 years ago

It’s practical enough for use if wi-fi signals won’t budge thru the walls and if the powerlines are clean and you know your power circuit layout around the house.

I’ll stick with a wireless router instead.
- Reply
osting says:

15 years ago

sa US ko ito nakikita dun sa bahay ng friend ko…usong uso toh dun…grabe tagal na ito ha…ngayon lang dumating sa pinas?
- Reply
OR9L says:

15 years ago

beta testing palang siguro sa US noon yan eh ngayon ok na kaya for commercial use na dito sa atin :)
- Reply
ANON says:

15 years ago

Linksys has this product for years already.
- Reply
Jason says:

15 years ago

yung PC ko sa office naka ganyan, pero yung wired.. nasa testing stage na kasi ng PLDT yang BOPL = Broadband Over Power Lines…
- Reply
Miata Mommy says:

15 years ago

We live in a townhouse with the modem on the G/F and our room in the attic. Is is probably our only option (other than dropping a LAN cable out our window all the way down to the G/F). Been seeing Cisco/Linksys version of this online for years, but I agree it’s a tad bit expensive. Plus, I’m not sure it can withstand the massive power fluctuations we’ve been having lately.
- Reply
manong says:

15 years ago

paano pag brown-out?

joke!
- Reply
Jerry says:

15 years ago

I have two WiFi routers/access points in my 2-story apartment so I can switch between the two anytime one of them goes down.

<– Why need to specify 2-story apartment when you can simply say 'I have two WiFi routers/access points in apartment'? Hehehehe! You are not boastful is it?
- Reply
Beeps says:

15 years ago

Abe,

Can we connect multiple edimax equipments on all floors? lets say a hotel got 6 floors; and definitely we need to install every 200m across the grounds per floor of the hotel.
- Reply
Otie says:

15 years ago

@Beeps, yes you can connect multiple devices provided na single circuit lang sya, di po tatawid ng kuntador. Btw, ang distance po nyan is 300metres @ 200Mbps speed rate.
- Reply
Building Wire says:

14 years ago

Thank you so much for the post, i have started reading that and just after couple of min, i found it very interesting. Just want to say thanks…
- Reply
cheap rooms says:

14 years ago

Just want to say thank you. I was feeling very good while reading that post.
- Reply
Nash says:

14 years ago

Pwedeng gawin ito sa pinas..matagal na nga ang ganitong process dito sa US since 2001 p..it will probably cut your bill and expand its use compare on wireless broadband that has a limited usage..It will be much better if you have laptops..so you can go on any part of your house if you want..and it’s not only for Wifi but also for DSL and broadband(not the wireless one) users..you only need a router, modem and of course a DSL or broadband line..
- Reply
Sonofa says:

13 years ago

meron na po ba ito ngayon?
- Reply
Phishine Technology says:

13 years ago

PhishineÂ® 200 AV mini powerline adapter takes advantage of your home’s existing electrical wires to transfer data while simultaneously transferring traditional power. That means, with no additional wiring required, users can simply plug the PhishineÂ® 200 AV mini into existing power sockets and instantly establish a networking infrastructure. With high-speed data transfer rates of up to 200Mbps, users can enjoy HD video streaming, online gaming, VoIP or any other bandwidth intensive tasks for work or play.—From Phishine Technology Co., Ltd
- Reply