Twenty years ago, in the fall of 2004, AVM launched the very first FRITZ!Box equipped with Wi-Fi. Based in Berlin, AVM has been committed to developing and perfecting the FRITZ!Box for two decades, with the ambition of ‘offer optimal Wi-Fi connectivity. Being an openly big fan of their products, I am sharing with you the notable moments in their history of wireless connectivity on the occasion of their 20th anniversary.
2004: The arrival of the first FRITZ!Box
In 2004, AVM revolutionized the market by launching the first FRITZ!Box. This innovation combined, for the first time, a DSL modem and a router in a single device. Unlike traditional network cards, this solution allowed multiple devices to connect to the Internet simultaneously via a local network or USB, at speeds of up to 8 Mbit/s. A few months later, AVM presented the FRITZ!Box SL WLAN, introducing Wi-Fi with speeds of up to 54 Mbit/s thanks to the IEEE 802.11g standard. With this built-in wireless hotspot, multiple devices could now access the Internet simultaneously and wirelessly.
2007: Wi-Fi 4 – faster, more efficient, more stable
With the introduction of Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) in 2007, the needs for routers are changing. The release of the first iPhone marks a new era for Wi-Fi, with multi-device usage continuing to grow. To meet this demand, the FRITZ!Box 7270 was created, offering dual frequency bands (2.4 GHz and 5 GHz) for speeds of up to 450 Mbit/s. This technology reduces interference and allows better connectivity for services like streaming or online gaming, without requiring a LAN connection.
2013: Wi-Fi 5 – a quantum leap in speed
The launch of Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) gives rise to a hardware overhaul, with the arrival of the FRITZ!Box 7490. This model, capable of reaching Wi-Fi speeds of 1,300 Mbit/s, allows Smooth navigation even in busy networks. This advance marks a turning point: Wi-Fi is becoming the preferred connection technology in many homes, gradually replacing cables.
2019: Mesh Wi-Fi – for uniform coverage
AVM integrates Mesh Wi-Fi technology, ensuring seamless coverage throughout the home network. FRITZ! now work synergistically, providing users with a unified, powerful and adaptable network. At a time when smart devices such as connected washing machines, refrigerators and vacuum cleaners are on the rise, centralized management via FRITZ!OS makes it easier to integrate them into everyday life.
2021: Wi-Fi 6 – faster and suitable for home automation
With the FRITZ!Box 7590 AX, AVM introduces Wi-Fi 6. Offering speeds of up to 3,600 Mbps, this technology efficiently manages the simultaneous traffic of a large number of connected devices, including those of the Internet of Things. This model is quickly becoming a focal point for connected homes, meeting the growing needs of smart homes.
2024: Wi-Fi 7 – more bandwidth, less latency
With the arrival of Wi-Fi 7 this year, the FRITZ!Box takes a new step forward. The FRITZ!Box 5690 Pro model uses a tri-band configuration, including a frequency of 6 GHz, to achieve speeds of up to 11,530 Mbps. This development significantly reduces latency and improves network capacity, making virtual reality experiences or real-time applications possible, even in busy environments.
The Fritz!box brand is relatively little known and popular outside of Germany (although it can be found at MediaMarkt here for example), but it is one of those to which we can turn without apprehension for the quality of its connection, reliability and a Fritz!OS which allows a lot of control over its network.
Related News :