TP-Link explained
TP-Link is a Singaporean electronics manufacturer of network equipment and smart home products. The company was established in 1996 in China, separated from Chinese TP-LINK in 2022, and announced a corporate restructuring in May 2024. TP-Link has headquarters in Singapore and the United States, and 42 subsidiaries, selling products in over 170 countries and regions.[2] It owns several brands, including Deco, Tapo, Omada, VIGI, Aginet, Kasa Smart, and Mercusys.[3]
History
TP-Link was founded in 1996 by two brothers, Zhao Jianjun (Chinese: 赵建军 Zhào Jiànjūn) and Zhao Jiaxing (Chinese: 赵佳兴 Zhào Jiāxīng), to produce and market a network card they had developed. The company name was based on the concept of "twisted pair link" invented by Alexander Graham Bell, a kind of cabling that reduces electromagnetic interference.[4]
TP-Link began its first international expansion in 2005. In 2007, the company moved into a new 100,000-square-meter headquarters and facilities at Shenzhen's Hi-Tech Industry Park. TP-Link USA was established in 2008.[5] In 2022, TP-Link Corporation began to separate from TP-LINK Technologies Co., Ltd. (TP-LINK) in China. After the separation, TP-Link Corporation became a standalone entity in all shareholdings and all operational aspects, such as workforce, research and development, production, marketing, and customer service.[6]
In May 2024, TP-Link announced the completion of corporate restructuring, with headquarters in the United States and Singapore.[2]
In August 2024, the United States House Select Committee on Strategic Competition between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party asked the United States Department of Commerce to investigate TP-Link and its affiliates for potential national security risks.[7] [8] [9]
Products
TP-Link products include high speed cable modems, mobile phones, ADSL, range extenders, routers, switches, IP cameras, power-line adapters, print servers, media converters, wireless adapters, power banks, USB hubs, smart home devices, and home robots. TP-Link also manufactured the OnHub router for Google.[10] TP-Link manufactures smart home devices under their Kasa Smart and Tapo product lines.[11] [12]
Manufacturing
TP-Link manufactures its products in-house, as opposed to outsourcing to original design manufacturers (ODMs).[13]
Notes and References
- Web site: TP-Link Completes Corporate Restructuring to Boost Growth Initiatives . 23 May 2024 . 7 June 2024 . 7 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240607095414/https://digitalterminal.in/tech-companies/tp-link-completes-corporate-restructuring-to-boost-growth-initiatives . live .
- Web site: TP-Link completes restructuring with 2 HQ . 7 June 2024 . 7 June 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240607095413/https://www.telecompaper.com/news/tp-link-completes-restructuring-with-2-hq-separate-chinese-business--1500137 . live .
- Web site: About TP-Link. 21 November 2023. 21 November 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231121130957/https://www.tp-link.com/en/about/about-us/. live.
- Web site: Network-gear firm TP-Link thinks big in US market . 21 February 2024 . 5 April 2013 . https://web.archive.org/web/20130405111401/http://usa.chinadaily.com.cn/epaper/2013-04/05/content_16377527.htm . bot: unknown .
- Web site: Richard Xu . Richard Xu, Vice President - TP-Link . Businessinterviews.com . 2013-09-15 . 2014-03-07 . 27 January 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230127232553/http://businessinterviews.com/Richard-Xu-TP-Link . live .
- Web site: TP-Link Corporation Group Announces Completion of Corporate Restructuring, Marking a New Era in its Future Evolution .
- News: Alper . Alexandra . August 15, 2024 . US lawmakers urge probe of WiFi router maker TP-Link over fears of Chinese cyber attacks . August 15, 2024 . Reuters.
- Web site: Kan . Michael . US Lawmakers Demand Probe Into TP-Link, Claiming Spying Risks From China . 2024-08-21 . . en . 21 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240821044109/https://www.pcmag.com/news/us-lawmakers-demand-probe-into-tp-link-claiming-spying-risks-from-china . live .
- Web site: 2024-08-19 . U.S. lawmakers request probe into Chinese router manufacturer TP-Link — letter cites cybersecurity vulnerabilities with TP-Link routers . 2024-08-21 . . en . 21 August 2024 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240821044110/https://www.tomshardware.com/networking/routers/us-lawmakers-request-probe-into-chinese-router-manufacturer-tp-link-letter-cites-cybersecurity-vulnerabilities-with-tp-link-routers . live .
- Web site: TP-Link Transforms From Purveyor of Fine Tools to Smart Life Enabler. CNET. 28 September 2016. 24 August 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170824182346/https://www.cnet.com/news/tp-link-creates-a-new-logo-as-it-heads-towards-smart-home/. live.
- Web site: Smart Home TP-Link. www.tp-link.com. en-us. 2017-09-16. 21 March 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180321130311/https://www.tp-link.com/us/home-networking/smart-home/. live.
- Web site: Welcome to Tapo. www.tapo.com. en-hk. 2019-11-29. 11 August 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230811081808/https://www.tapo.com/en/. live.
- Web site: TP-LINK Targets Aggressive U.S. Expansion, VARs Included . https://web.archive.org/web/20120105010636/http://www.crn.com/news/networking/232300777/tp-link-targets-aggressive-u-s-expansion-vars-included.htm. 5 January 2012. dead . CRN . 2014-03-07.