EXCLUSIVE:Linksys To Be Spun Out As Separate Operation

Struggling Network company Linksys is set to be set up as a separate operation in Australia.

Currently run by Belkin management the new company will shortly launch a new Mesh Network router in an effort to take on the award winning Netgear Orbi which is also a Tri Band Mesh Network router according to retailers who have been briefed on the new structure.

Also set to be launched are new nodes that are a copy of the Netgear Orbi satellite extenders which have been designed to be fashionable when located around a home.

The new Linksys spin out operation will be run by Greg Morrison, who is currently recruiting additional staff in Australia.

Since being acquired from CISCO the Belkin owned operation has failed to establish themselves as a frontline network Company capable of delivering a range of IOT and Network solutions.

Rivals such as Netgear and D-Link are currently marketing a range of network products ranging from Netgear Arlo Security Cameras to D Link’s Connected Home devices.

Instead of launching their Home Automation gear under the Linksys brand Belkin chose to introduce the WeMo brand which has struggled to get traction in the market.

ChannelNews understands that this could change with the introduction at CES 2017 of several new Linksys branded products.

Both Greg Morrison and Belkin management failed to return ChannelNews calls prior to Xmas.

Linksys was founded in 1988 by Victor and Janie Tsao, both Taiwanese immigrants to the United States, the Company was then sold to Cisco in 2003, and then on sold to Belkin, the current owners, in 2013.

Prior to being sold to Belkin who back then was as much a bag and cable Company Linksys was witnessing “excellent growth” under the management of Graeme Reardon who is now CEO of D Link Australia.

At the time of the sale Linksys products were branded as Linksys by Cisco when it was part of Cisco.

Today Belkin which is more PC and smartphone accessory Company than networking Company, is having to develop their own networking technology without any input from CISCO.

Their WeMo IOT automation brand has also struggled to generate sales, this year the brand is set to face new competition from iHome whose smart plug recently got a 9/10 tick from CNet for performance.

About Post Author

David Richards

David Richards has been writing about technology for more than 30 years. A former Fleet Street journalist, he wrote the Award Winning Series on the Federated Ships Painters + Dockers Union for the Bulletin that led to a Royal Commission. He is also a Logie Winner for Outstanding Contribution To TV Journalism with a story called The Werribee Affair. In 1997, he built the largest Australian technology media company and prior to that the third largest PR company that became the foundation company for Ogilvy PR. Today he writes about technology and the impact on both business and consumers.