A wireless router like no other — millions of devices are hidden from view because they are ugly, but South Korea’s biggest telecom company wants to change that with an award-winning design
While some business router manufacturers do try to make their products look attractive, for most it’s a case of function over form. That can’t be said of South Korea’s KT (Korea Telecom) as its Vibrant WiFi has won design awards from both Red Dot and iF Design.
The core KT WiFi 6D router itself isn’t that exciting – it’s a fairly standard shape and size but the antennas are contained inside the device and the LEDS are hidden. It offers up to 1.2Gbps wireless speeds, 1Gbps wired, and up to 100 simultaneous connections.
What makes the router an award winner is its support for detachable covers, referred to as skins, which slip over the base unit, so it will fit in perfectly (or not, depending on your preference) with its surroundings. A router power adapter called “Simply Connect” transfers power and data over a single USB-C cable, so it looks tidy.
Designer skins
There are a lot of skins available for the router, including ones covered in walnut, acrylic fiber, vegetable leather, ceramic, illuminated glass, and even Rattan.
If none of the original designs do it for you, KT has collaborated with a wide range of well known Korean artists for some more outlandish looks. While most designs cover the skins in eye catching artwork, others change the shape and form, adding additional elements to it. The Clock One and The Clock Two, for example, add an analogue clock to the skin face.
A lot of the designs won’t be to everyone’s tastes, but there are a wealth to chose from, with more being added regularly, so you’re bound to find something you like from the range.
This approach to design makes a lot of sense in South Korea as routers are typically rented by users on two or three year contracts, rather than being bought outright. The skins allow the temporary custodian to stamp their preference on the product without changing it, so it can be easily refurbished and passed on at the end of the contract period.
Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed!
More from TechRadar Pro
While some business router manufacturers do try to make their products look attractive, for most it’s a case of function over form. That can’t be said of South Korea’s KT (Korea Telecom) as its Vibrant WiFi has won design awards from both Red Dot and iF Design. The core KT…
Recent Posts
- A wireless router like no other — millions of devices are hidden from view because they are ugly, but South Korea’s biggest telecom company wants to change that with an award-winning design
- The new Final Cut Pro hooked me on iPad video editing
- I regret buying the PSVR 2
- Asus Vivobook S 15 Copilot+ PC Review: Promising Battery Life
- Leaked iPhone 16 case video may show off the new design for 2024
Archives
- June 2024
- May 2024
- April 2024
- March 2024
- February 2024
- January 2024
- December 2023
- November 2023
- October 2023
- September 2023
- August 2023
- July 2023
- June 2023
- May 2023
- April 2023
- March 2023
- February 2023
- January 2023
- December 2022
- November 2022
- October 2022
- September 2022
- August 2022
- July 2022
- June 2022
- May 2022
- April 2022
- March 2022
- February 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- November 2021
- October 2021
- September 2021
- August 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- March 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- December 2020
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- December 2011