Netgear brings WiFi 7 to Orbi and expands its Armor network security service

We change I announced it Orbi 870 series mesh systemthe latest in its range of mesh networking systems to upgrade to WiFi7 for home networking.

Building on nearly 30 years of experience innovating WiFi networks, Netgear designed the Orbi 870 series to deliver high-performance mesh networking powered by WiFi 7 technology. It also upgraded its Netgear Armor network security service as part of its announcements in Consumer Electronics Show 2025.

Designed to meet the needs of today’s connected homes, the Orbi 870 ensures exceptional speeds, low latency and ample capacity for even the most demanding households. Whether you’re streaming HD content, working remotely, or gaming online, families can count on the Orbi 870’s advanced WiFi technology to support a seamless experience across up to 150 connected devices. Orbi mesh networks can take your home router’s network and extend it wirelessly to other parts of the home using Orbi satellites that connect to the Orbi router.

Besides smartphones, the devices in the home that need WiFi 7 support are gaming consoles like the Sony PlayStation 5, which supports WiFi 7.

Meanwhile, Advanced Router Protection helps ensure your router is secure out of the box with advanced security features and automatic security updates designed to help protect routers from cyberattacks and other security threats. Devices use artificial intelligence to predict the next type of attack to stay ahead of attackers. It protects against firmware threats as well.

WiFi 7 delivers up to 5Gbps bandwidth to your mobile device at home. Thus, the market share of WiFi networks rose from 7% in the fourth quarter of 2023 to 21% in the third quarter of 2024, according to market researcher NPD.

“With the Orbi 870, we wanted to complete our Wifi 7 product portfolio,” said Sandeep Harpalani, vice president of product management at Netgear, in an interview with GamesBeat. “We see that more and more customers are really looking for WiFi 7 products now, and multi-network internet is now available to people. We have a system that can actually broadcast the high speed internet they get throughout the home. With people working from home, the need for a network Faster and more stable WiFi is here and growing.

There are also a lot of devices being used at home, and it will get busier as devices like augmented reality and virtual reality headsets grow in popularity, Harpalani said.

“We see WiFi 7 adoption happening much faster than the transition of previous generation technology,” Harpalani said.

Expansion of Orbi Network portfolio

The Orbi 870 joins the Orbi 770 and Orbi 970 series systems, delivering speed, coverage and reliability from the front door to the backyard. With the introduction of the new Orbi 870, users have the flexibility to choose the WiFi 7 solution that best suits their specific needs.

“We are seeing a significant rise in WiFi 7 adoption, with major brands offering devices with the latest standards, increasing the need for a router that helps consumers get the most out of their new technology,” Harpalani said. “Netgear is a trusted brand, committed to delivering exceptional WiFi performance and security features tailored to meet the diverse needs of every home as this market evolves. Whether users are upgrading their network or using WiFi 7 for the first time, the Orbi 870 provides the perfect balance of performance, coverage and security .

Now routers can implement WiFi 7 using the 6GHz band, something that was newly licensed by the FCC a few years ago, for speeds up to 11Gbps. The 5GHz band is starting to get more crowded. Orbi takes advantage of different bands to connect different parts of the house.

Technical specifications of Orbi 870

• Ultra-Fast Tri-Band WiFi 7 Speeds of up to 21Gbps – Enjoy combined multi-gigabit speeds of up to 21Gbps with the 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz bands.
• Higher capacity and strong WiFi – Supports WiFi 7 technology improvements such as 320MHz, 4K QAM, Multi-Link Operation (MLO) and Boot-hole.
• Multi-link process – Combines two WiFi bands simultaneously, for both uplink (5GHz and 6GHz) and fronthaul (5GHz and 6GHz) to improve network reliability, reduce latency, and ensure maximum speed data delivery.
• Multi-Gig speeds with 10G internet port – Use the 10GbE Internet port for multi-GbE cable and fiber plans. Compatible with any Internet service provider.
• More multi-gigabit wired ports on router and satellite – Connect wired devices to improve performance or set up a multi-gigabit wired connection between the router and satellites via four 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports on the router, and four 2.5Gbps Ethernet ports on the satellites.
• Do it all with the Orbi app – Easily manage your network from anywhere, including pausing the internet, running internet speed tests, tracking internet data usage, setting up separate networks for guests and IoT, and more.

Security made simple

Backed by modern encryption protocols and advanced threat detection mechanisms, Netgear routers are the first line of defense against evolving cyber threats and include key security features such as automatic firmware updates, VPN support, advanced WPA3 security, controlled access, guest network options and IoT.

The Orbi 870 Series also includes Netgear’s exclusive Advanced Router Protection feature. This feature helps protect the router from threats using a combination of AI heuristics and advanced exploit prevention to help identify and block exploitation attempts.

Additionally, it provides the ability to quickly deploy live patches for threats, bypassing the need to wait for a new firmware release. This rapid response mechanism significantly reduces the time it takes to address security issues, strengthening Netgear’s position as a leader in delivering cutting-edge security across its router and networking product portfolio.

For added protection, the Orbi 870 Series includes a 30-day trial of Netgear Armor powered by Bitdefender, which provides an automatic additional security shield for connected devices and additional privacy with a VPN. Unlike traditional endpoint antivirus products, Armor is available on the router as a more enhanced security solution, helping to protect computers, security cameras, baby monitors, and other IoT devices on the network.

The 870 Series also comes with Netgear Smart Parental Controls to easily manage kids’ online time across their connected devices and reinforce good online habits for the family. Basic features are available for free, while you pay for advanced features. Subscription fees apply to the Premium plan.

Availability

The Orbi 870 is available in black or white at Netgear.com and other major retailers.
• RBE873: Router and two satellites – 3-pack, $1,300
• RBE872: 1 router and satellite – 2-pack for $1,000
• RBE870: Add-on satellite, $550

Netgear shield

Netgear also announced the next generation of Netgear Armor, powered by Bitdefender. As a subscription, Armor is a comprehensive cybersecurity service available on Orbi Mesh systems and Nighthawk routers that protects IoT and mobile devices connected to your home network and on the go.

Today’s cybersecurity threats require smarter protection. According to Netgear and Bitdefender’s 2024 IoT Security Landscape Report, home network devices see an average of 10 attacks every 24 hours. Although most routers have built-in security, the protection often doesn’t extend to the devices connected to them.

As smart home devices such as TVs, speakers, thermostats, and more continue to proliferate, their vulnerabilities could expose families to exploitation by cybercriminals. Consumers are taking extra measures to protect themselves by investing in tools like virtual private networks (VPNs) and ad blockers, but these fragmented solutions can quickly add up. Netgear Armor offers an easy-to-use solution to protect against many of today’s threats, all within one subscription.

“The key trends that are dictating some of these changes are that the threat landscape continues to obviously expand and become more complex as more devices are connected in one’s home,” Shalini Sengupta, senior product line manager at Netgear, said in an interview with GamesBeat. . “The number of vulnerabilities in IoT devices is constantly increasing, and smart TVs were one of the most vulnerable devices.”

The FTC noted that there were 2.6 million fraud reports in 2023 related to these devices in the home.

“It’s an increasing threat landscape that we have to look at,” Sengupta said. “And when you look at the solutions that are already out there, they’re getting more complex and confusing from a user’s perspective. There are router-based solutions. There are solutions that you can install on the specific device you’re trying to protect. And then there are a whole host of standalone product solutions, whether it’s a VPN or a manager. Passwords, as well as the operating system itself, we want to simplify this.”

Sengupta said tests showed that Netgear Armor outperforms its competitors well.

“With the rise in IoT attacks and rising concerns about malware, data security and identity theft, there has been a significant increase in demand for security and privacy tools among consumers,” Shalini Sengupta, senior product manager at Netgear, said in a statement. . “While many currently manage their security through multiple expensive subscriptions across separate platforms, Netgear Armor seeks to address this gap by providing a powerful, unified solution from a brand trusted by millions.”

Peace of mind at home and away

Armor is a security and privacy solution available on most Netgear WiFi systems and routers. Using advanced AI, it automatically scans connected devices, including IoT products, for vulnerabilities and background threats, monitors potential data breaches and makes recommendations to strengthen security. Users can easily get the latest updates on recent vulnerability scans, blocked attacks, and suggested actions through the Orbi and Nighthawk application interfaces.

The Armor mobile protection app can be downloaded on mobile phones, tablets and computers (up to 50) for protection outside the home. Available for Mac, Windows, Android, and iOS, and includes:
• VPN: Allows personalized location selection and blocks unwanted ads
• Web Protection: Block suspicious websites
• Fraud Alerts: Scans SMS and calendar for malicious links
• Account Privacy: Monitor 10 email accounts for potential violations

In response to customer feedback, Netgear has also taken steps to limit the number of subscriptions Orbi and Nighthawk owners need to manage to maintain the health of their home networks by including extended warranty and 24/7 priority technical support (formerly separate subscriptions) as part of its Shield service.

The extended warranty covers repairs, accidental damage coverage, and free express replacement service. Priority technical support gives subscribers access to Netgear experts around the clock via chat, email, and phone.

Armor Plus: A new level of service

For added protection, Netgear has announced the availability of Armor Plus which includes all the features of Armor and adds unlimited VPN for up to 50 devices as well as Adblocking and Anti-tracking. The VPN helps users stay protected when using unfamiliar networks, while AdBlocker and Anti-tracking technology not only adds an enhanced layer of privacy, but also helps improve the performance and speed of WiFi connections.

Netgear Armor and Armor Plus are now available to Orbi and Nighthawk owners. A one-year subscription to Armor Plus is $150, less than $12.50 per month and about a third of the monthly cost of purchasing the VPN, network security, AdBlocker, Anti-tracker, and warranty coverage separately. The price of the Shield remains $100 per year with the addition of new warranty and support features.