FRITZ!Box 7490 Broadband VDSL and ADSL Router Adds Gigabit WiFi

Germany-based networking kit manufacturer AVM, which are best known for their series of advanced and absurdly feature rich FRITZ!Box broadband ISP routers, has improved upon their existing line-up by launching the FRITZ!Box 7490. The major change over their previous 7390 is the addition of 1.3Gbps capable 802.11ac WiFi technology.

As highlighted in our recent Round Up of Integrated VDSL Routers, consumers that want to buy a new device with an integrated VDSL modem for use on UK superfast broadband (FTTC) lines are somewhat limited in terms of WiFi performance with most of the available modems only sporting the previous generation of 802.11n.

But finally there’s now another option in the form of the FRITZ!Box 7490 which, aside from including pretty much every conceivable feature under the sun, also adds support for Dual Wireless AC and N specs with 1300Mbit/s and 450Mbit/s simultaneously. Not to mention all the other stuff like gigabit LAN ports, USB 3.0, telephone system and DECT base station.

FRITZ!Box 7490 Highlights
• VDSL and ADSL2+ router with support for vectoring
• Dual Wireless AC + N with 1,300 (5 GHz)+ 450 Mbit/s (2.4 GHz) simultaneously
• 4 gigabit LAN ports for PC, game consoles, and more
• 2 USB 2.0/3.0 ports for printers and storage media (NAS)
• Telephone system for ISDN, IP and analog including answering machine and fax function
• DECT base station for up to 6 cordless telephones
• Media server for music, pictures, and video in the home network
• NAS functionality (FTP, SMB, UPnP AV)
• FRITZ!OS 6.01 with MyFRITZ!, Smart Home functions, cloud contacts and more
• Parental controls with time limits, blocks for adult content (German BPjM module) and filter lists
• Wireless guest access – the secure hotspot for friends and visitors
• High-performance routing even for cable or glass fiber modems
• Simple configuration over the browser interface
• FRITZ!Apps for file access from on the go, telephony in the home network, control of webcams and more

Unfortunately you can expect to pay a heavy premium for such a high-spec piece of kit, so while the 7390 can be had for around £200 then the 7490 has been spotted on the UK market alongside a price tag of roughly £240.

It’s not cheap but this really is an enthusiast’s piece of kit rather than a mass market product. The next one might even make you tea! (disclaimer: but it probably won’t).