TP-LINK
 | |
Native name | 普联技术有限公司 |
|---|---|
| Privately Held | |
| Industry | Computer networking |
| Founded | 1996 |
| Founder |
Zhào Jiànjūn Zhào Jiāxīng |
| Headquarters | Shenzhen, Guangdong, China |
Area served | Worldwide |
| Products | Computer networking devices |
| Revenue | $1.9 Billion (2013)[1] |
Number of employees | 21,849 Worldwide (as of Dec，2013) |
| Website | TP-LINK |
TP-LINK Technologies Co., Ltd. (Chinese: 普联技术), stylized, trademarked and marketed as TP-LINK, is a Chinese manufacturer of computer networking products based in Shenzhen, Guangdong.
History
TP-LINK was founded in 1996 by two brothers, Zhào Jiànjūn (赵建军) and Zhào Jiāxīng (赵佳兴), with a network card they had developed. The company name was based on the concept of “twisted pair link”, a kind of electromagnetic cabling, hence the "TP" in the company's name.[2]
TP-LINK sells through multiple sales channels globally, including traditional retailers, online retailers, wholesale distributors, direct market resellers (“DMRs”), value-added resellers (“VARs”) and broadband service providers. Its main competition includes companies such as NETGEAR, Buffalo, Belkin, Linksys, D-Link and Asus.
TP-LINK began its first international expansion in 2005. In 2007, the company moved into its new 100,000 square meters headquarters and facilities at Shenzhen’s Hi-Tech Industry Park. TP-LINK USA was established in 2008.[3][4]
Product ranges
TP-LINK products include wireless routers, ADSL, range extenders, routers, switches, IP cameras, powerline adapters, print servers, media converters, Wi-Fi adapters and power banks.
- Wireless Routers
- TP-LINK markets a range of wireless networking products, including the Archer line of dual-band wireless routers using the new “802.11ac” wireless standard, along with other dual-band wireless routers using the 802.11n wireless standard.
- Range Extenders
- TP-LINK Wi-Fi Range Extenders are under the repeater mode to work with wireless router and access point and help eliminate ‘dead zones’ by boosting wireless networks in home and office.
- Powerline Adapters
- TP-LINK sells a range of adapters and starter kits using the HomePlug Powerline Alliance networking standard. The latest models support speeds of up to 1200Mbps.
- Wi-Fi Adapters
- TP-LINK markets a range of Adapters, including the Archer line of dual-band wireless adapters to match the dual-band routers both using the new “802.11ac” wireless standard.
- Switches
- TP-LINK provides a variety of switches for business networking solutions. The products are Unmanaged Switches, Easy Smart Switches, Smart Switches, Jetstream L2 Managed Switches, and Jetstream L2+/ L3 Managed Switches.[5]
- Portable routers
- TP-LINK’s line of portable “travel” routers are smaller in size than typical home devices, targeting business travellers or families that travel and need to share one Internet connection in a hotel for multiple devices.[6]
- 3G/4G routers
- 3G/4G routers, also called MIFI, share Internet connections deriving from modems accessing various wireless broadband technology standards such as LTE, HSPA+/HSUPA/HSDPA, UMTS, and EVDO.
- Routers
- TP-LINK markets VPN routers under the “SafeStream” brand[7] along with load balance broadband routers with functions including IPsec/PPTP/L2TP VPN, load balance, access control, IM/P2P blocking, DoS defense, bandwidth control, session limit and PPPoE server, which meet the needs of small and medium enterprises, hotels and communities with large volumes of users demanding a network with security.
Manufacturing
TP-LINK is one of the few major wireless networking companies to manufacture its products in-house as opposed to outsourcing to original design manufacturers (ODMs). The company says this control over components and the supply chain is a key competitive differentiator.[8]
Awards
TP-Link has won design awards from International Forum Design, Red Dot, and IDEA.
References
- ↑ "About TP-LINK - Welcome to TP-LINK". Tp-link.com. Retrieved 2014-03-07.
- ↑ "Network-gear firm TP-Link thinks big in US market|Across Americas|chinadaily.com.cn". Usa.chinadaily.com.cn. 2013-04-05. Retrieved 2014-03-07.
- ↑ Richard Xu (2013-09-15). "Richard Xu, Vice President - TP-Link". Businessinterviews.com. Retrieved 2014-03-07.
- ↑ "About TP-LINK - Welcome to TP-LINK". Tp-link.us. Retrieved 2014-03-07.
- ↑ , TP-LINK Switch Line.
- ↑ , Five Best Travel Routers.
- ↑ , TP-LINK SafeStream VPN router.
- ↑ "Networking News". CRN. Retrieved 2014-03-07.