‘Deceptively Named’ Linksys Dual Band AC1000 Router Much Slower Than Advertised, Class Action Claims

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Belkin International and Walmart face a proposed class action that alleges the former’s Linksys Dual Band AC1000 WiFi router is deceptively advertised in that it’s incapable of hitting internet speeds of up to 1,000 megabits per second (Mbps) as the product’s name suggests. 

The 28-page suit contends that the “1000” designation of Belkin’s Linksys Dual Band AC1000 router, which the company also touts as 2.3 times faster than Wireless N or WiFi 4 technology, is false and deceptive given the device can operate at internet speeds of only 80 to 90 Mbps, more than 900 percent slower than advertised. 

The lawsuit claims an “extensive investigation” by the plaintiff’s counsel determined that the Linksys AC1000 was incapable of hitting speeds greater than 100 Mbps because the Ethernet port on the router that connects to the cable modem caps internet transmissions at no more than 100 Mbps. This is due to the fact that the device lacks the more expensive Gigabit Ethernet technology found in competing router models, the suit says. 

As for the claim that the Linksys Dual Band AC1000 is 2.3 times faster than Wireless N or WiFi 4, the case alleges the router’s internet speed is actually “more than 100% slower” than the older technologies, which the suit says allow routers to hit a maximum of 300 to 450 Mbps. 

According to the complaint, the plaintiff, a Queens County, New York resident, and many other consumers have purchased the Linksys Dual Band AC1000 from retailers such as Walmart based on Belkin’s “false and misleading representations.” 

As the lawsuit tells it, many AC1000 buyers “will never know that the router is not running at the advertised WiFi speeds.” 

In addition to monetary damages, the lawsuit seeks injunctive relief requiring Belkin and Walmart to provide corrected advertising and/or stop advertising the router in the manner at issue in the case.

The lawsuit looks to represent all persons or entities in the United States who bought a Linksys AC1000 router between January 1, 2019 and the date of final disposition of the case.

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