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Forum Discussion
Is there an upgrade path from Wifi 5 to 6 for an RBK50 owner?
I have an RBK50, so a RBR50 router and RBS50 satellite. I need a 3rd satellite for better coverage upstairs. First, are there any plans to upgrade the RBR50's to WIFI 6 via firmware upgrades...
I purchased the Orbi RBK53 Kit a few months ago From Costco $300 believing the Press Release was accurate. If the PR was in error and the RBK53 Kit is NOT forwards compatible with WiFi 6, I'm returning it to Costco. Thanks for pointing out the error. Netgear needs to fix this obvious PR error that will continue to misguide consumers into purchasing something that will not support WiFi 6.
wwwXpert , An RB50 device can't support WiFi 6 fully . It would need newer hardware to support the 802.11ax requirements.
Where I could potentially see mixed use in the future is using the Orbi WiFi 6 Router (RBR750, RBR850) with an Orbi WiFi 5 Satellite until the user completely converts to 100% WiFi 6.
I say in the future because right now the firmwares between the WiFi 5 satellites and WiFi 6 routers can't communicate. There are a ton of complaints on the Outdoor RBS50Y forum and reviews that they aren't currently compatible and there currently isn't a WiFi 6 outdoor satellite.
I think where Netgear confuses people in their marketing is the Kits change the last digit to account for the number of devices in the kit when they released the 2 satellite kit with the RBR50.
For Example
WiFI 6 Devices:
RBK853 -- Is a RBR850 and 2 RBS850s
RBK852 -- Is a RBR850 and a RBS850
WiFi 5 Devices:
RBK53 -- Is a RBR50 and 2 RBS50s
RBK50 -- Is a RBR50 and a RBS50