Even as we emerge from virtual spaces to resume more IRL interactions, it’s safe to say that having a solid Wi-Fi connection will forever be an essential element of life. “In the past year or so, we’ve become more reliant on Wi-Fi and more sensitive to disruption in service,” says David Henry, president and GM of connected home products and services at Netgear. He points to company research that shows the average U.S. household now has some 20 devices connected at any given time.

This pandemic-driven spike in demand for fast, reliable internet at home—for everything from remote work and smart appliances to virtual doctor’s visits and ordering food—was the impetus behind the brand’s new Orbi 5G system, which the company says is the industry’s first tri-band mesh router with a built-in 5G modem that enables Wi-Fi 6 capability. What does this mean for consumers? Stronger and steadier connectivity for everyone, in every corner of the home.

The news will no doubt give households in coverage holes, or those inhabited by internet super-users with competing agendas, a reason to rejoice. “It’s especially useful to the some 42 million Americans who live in areas without access to wired broadband services,” explains Henry, noting the system is also designed to serve as a backup when wired internet services go down.

For those who may still be transitioning to remote work or juggling hybrid lifestyles, the Orbi 5G can improve loading times, frozen Zoom meetings, and dropped calls. Users can set up the system via the Orbi app and establish coverage across 5,000 square feet of indoor or outdoor space.

“Orbi offers the best of 5G at home and is generally a plug-and-play system with the capability to expand coverage area with additional satellites,” says Henry. This can be especially useful if your property includes separate buildings such as an ADU, barn, or studio. According to Netgear, as technology advances, the 5G network could become a primary internet connection for many households.

If you happen to travel frequently or work on the move, Netgear’s recently released Nighthawk M5 mobile router, which is now available unlocked and currently compatible with both T-Mobile and AT&T carriers, is worth checking out. Say you’re planning to work from an Airbnb for two weeks, but when you get there, you’re stuck with spotty Wi-Fi. You’ll be glad you remembered to pack the four-inch square Nighthawk device, which fits in a laptop bag and has up to 13 hours of battery life.

Just as our phones do, the Nighthawk mobile router accesses 5G mobile networks with a SIM card. If coverage is limited, Nighthawk will connect to 4G LTE or 3G networks. Travelers could certainly use their phone hotspots to access free Wi-Fi in airports, RV parks, or vacation rentals, but this workaround is not designed to connect multiple devices, and it drains battery life. Such networks aren’t a match in speed or security either.

The compact Nighthawk M5 mobile router is a great tool for roaming workers who need fast, secure, and uninterrupted internet access wherever they may be.
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For owners of vacation rentals, Nighthawk M5 is worth considering as a way to keep your personal network separate from the one used by guests. Henry notes: “As a portable device, it can be used by different users on any given day, making it totally flexible and—most important—a secure Wi-Fi solution.”

Learn more about the Orbi 5G and Nighthawk 5G devices by Netgear at netgear.com.