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Pdarbonne's avatar
Pdarbonne
Aspirant
Aug 10, 2024

WBE710 & RBE971

Hello all.  Haven't been able to find much on the new Netgear WBE710 business AP that's about to be released but wonder - could I use it in an Orbi RBE971/RBE970 system as an extension?   The price is a lot more palatable @ $350 vs. $900 for an additional RBE970.    Any thoughts appreciated.  Thank you.  

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  • CrimpOn's avatar
    CrimpOn
    Guru
    Aug 11, 2024
    Pdarbonne wrote:

    Hello all.  Haven't been able to find much on the new Netgear WBE710 business AP that's about to be released but wonder - could I use it in an Orbi RBE971/RBE970 system as an extension?   The price is a lot more palatable @ $350 vs. $900 for an additional RBE970.    Any thoughts appreciated.  Thank you.  

    This depends on what "as an extension" means.

     

    • Any brand of WiFi Extender (from any manufacturer) can be connected to the Orbi system and will do what it is designed to do.  However.....
    • The only units that will function as a part of the Orbi "mesh" are true Orbi satellites that are compatible with the router.

    Mobile devices that connect to this WBE710 will not roam seamlessly between that unit and the units that are in the Orbi "mesh".  Many users would find this not satisfactory.

     

     

    • Pdarbonne's avatar
      Pdarbonne
      Aspirant
      Aug 13, 2024

      Thanks for the information.  I've also reviewed the compatibility list which unfortunately only lists the RBE970 as a compatible satellite with the 970 system.  So for seamless integration it looks like the $900 RBE970 is it.  For the price of the system I could have purchased a PR60X and 4 WBE710s and saved a few $$$ and likely had a bit better coverage in my case.  Disappointing but my choice to buy into the 970.