Cisco Announces Dual Band Entertainment Router

Dubai, June 8, 2009 – Cisco today announced the Linksys by Cisco Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router (WRT320N), designed for consumers to create a media enabled network at home. Equipped with Cisco’s media optimized networking technology, the WRT320N is a great choice for families that demand more from their wireless network. Streaming a movie wirelessly into your living room becomes reality with this latest addition to Cisco’s consumer wireless networking portfolio.

The new Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router helps users to build a home network that is prepared for multimedia streaming. The router is equipped with Gigabit for wired connections and 802.11n grade wireless operating in either the 2.4GHz wireless band or the wider 5GHz band. The 5GHz band is less crowded then the 2.4GHz band that is used by other devices like DECT phones or microwaves and therefore better suited for carrying latency sensitive data like video and audio.

The Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router is shipped with Linksys EasyLink Advisor (LELA). LELA helps consumers to get their network up and running and helps keep their network updated and secure. The included set-up CD is compatible with both Macintosh and Windows computers.

“The Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router brings the dual band technology to a level that is accessible to a more mainstream audience,” said Mohammad Hoda, Director of Emerging Markets for Global Consumer Sales of Cisco Consumer Business Group. “With our current range of N-routers we enable the consumer to choose the solution that best fits their needs. The WRT320N compliments our Wireless-N product family and is positioned between our WRT160N and WRT610N. Now we have a solution for everybody, from the novice user to the savviest of technology experts and gamers.”

The Linksys by Cisco Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router can be used with Home Network Defender. Cisco recently introduced Home Network Defender together with Trend Micro, a security service that helps protect consumers from web threats. Home Network Defender works at the router level, helping to protect Internet users from inadvertently visiting compromising sites or revealing personal information to predators who operate over the Web.

Cisco’s media optimized networking technology helps deliver a premium experience when users share and access multimedia content. The WRT320N is designed so that network performance is fine-tuned to give priority to High-Definition video without the need for manual configuration. PC users can customize their networks to give priority to certain devices, like gaming consoles, over others.

The new Linksys by Cisco product packaging provides more than 40% reduction in waste materials compared to the previously offered packaging. The size of the boxes is reduced, internal packaging is transitioning to more recyclable material, the use of plastic bags is being eliminated where possible and all packaging and internal documents are printed on paper that is made from 80% recycled content and vegetable and soy inks are being used.

The Linksys by Cisco Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router comes with an ENERGY STAR certified power adapter that helps reduce power consumption. The energy consumed by the power adapters has been cut almost in half. For example, a router used 4.6 watts of power and a new router with one of the ENERGY STAR certified power adapters can use as little as 2.6 watts of power.

IDC reported that multimedia networking applications, such as streaming audio or video to a home entertainment system or online console gaming, have made significant steps forward in terms of ease of use and expanded media services. Consumers will also want to view digital video on their televisions, not their PC and computing devices, increasing the use of their home networks. (IDC Worldwide Home Networking 2009-2013 Forecast, March 2009)

Pricing and availability

The Dual-Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router is planned to be available in Middle East and Africa market by the end of June 2009 from authorized Linksys by Cisco retailers, resellers, and VAR partners. The MSRP for the product is set to AED 399.

About Cisco Systems

Cisco (NASDAQ: CSCO) is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Cisco’s vision for the consumer is to enable people to live a connected life that is more personal, more social, and more visual. More information about Cisco and its line of consumer products can be found at www.linksysbycisco.com and www.cisco.com/consumer.