Nokia Says New $130 Wi-Fi Beacon Boosts Coverage, Performance

Nokia added the Beacon 1 ($129) to its network lineup to improve the Wi-Fi experience in homes with multiple connected devices, high-bandwidth use, interference from neighbors’ Wi-Fi or Bluetooth devices or dead zones due to building materials. The device is an alternative to Wi-Fi extenders or repeaters that can degrade network performance, said the company. The entry-level Beacon 1 includes intelligent channel selection to find the best Wi-Fi channel for each device and integrates Nokia’s mesh capabilities to override dead zones. Coverage range is given as 1,500 square feet. The interface on Nokia’s mobile app gives a visual representation of a home’s Wi-Fi network, including a heat map to easily locate and manage dead zones, it said. It allows users to access device lists, troubleshoot and activate a guest network. A bridge mode function connects a beacon to an existing gateway with routing functionality, it said.