TP-Link EAP655-Wall Omada WiFi 6 Wall Plate Access Point: specs and who it suits

The TP-Link EAP655-Wall is a WiFi 6 access point built into a wall plate. It mounts over a standard network wall outlet, and gives a room its own wireless signal along with wired ports. TP-Link designed it for places such as office cubicles and hotel rooms, where each room can have a private network.

What a wall plate access point is

A typical access point is mounted on a ceiling and covers a wide area. A wall plate model is different: it sits in a room, close to where devices are used, and signal doesn't have to pass through several walls. It's powered over the same Ethernet cable that supplies the connection, so no separate power cable is needed. TP-Link lists the access point's size as about 5.6 x 3.4 x 1.7 inches (14 x 8.6 x 4.3 cm), with a weight of around 0.6 lb.

WiFi 6 and the AX3000 label

TP-Link calls this "True WiFi 6" and cites 1024-QAM, HE60 and Long OFDM Symbol among the technologies. It is dual-band, and TP-Link states speeds up to 2976 Mbps combined across the two bands. As with any such headline figure, it is a theoretical total across both bands. A single device typically gets much less, depending on distance, interference and its own WiFi hardware.

Wireless features

TP-Link lists seamless roaming, band steering, load balancing, airtime fairness and beamforming. In general:

• Band steering nudges capable devices to the less crowded band.
• Load balancing spreads devices across access points.
• Airtime fairness stops slow devices hogging the channel.
• Beamforming focuses the signal toward a device.

Seamless roaming, which lets a device move between access points without dropping, requires an Omada SDN controller, according to TP-Link.

Ports and PoE passthrough

There are four Gigabit Ethernet ports: one uplink that accepts 802.3af/at PoE power, and three downlink ports. One of the access ports can pass PoE through to power a wired device, such as a phone, though TP-Link says that needs 802.3at (PoE+) input. That lets you plug a desk phone or other device straight into the wall plate.

Omada SDN management

The access point integrates with TP-Link's Omada SDN platform, which manages access points, switches and gateways together. TP-Link lists three controller options: a hardware controller, a software controller or a cloud-based controller (contact TP-Link for cloud plan details). Standalone mode also works. Remote cloud access and the Omada app allow management of a network across different sites. TP-Link refers to its website for devices that are compatible with SDN firmware.

Support and warranty

TP-Link lists a five-year warranty and free technical support from 6am to 6pm PST, Monday to Friday.

Who it suits

It suits hotels, offices, student housing and multi-room buildings that want a dedicated signal and wired ports in each room. Small businesses already using Omada gear will find it fits in.

What to check before you buy

• Power: confirm your switch or injector supplies 802.3af/at PoE, and 802.3at for passthrough.
• Wall box: check that the wall plate fits your outlet box and cabling.
• Controller: decide which Omada option you will use, and check that roaming needs one.
• Network layout: think about how many rooms, and how channels will be planned.
• Cabling: use suitable Ethernet cable for the run.

The short version

• A WiFi 6 wall plate access point, rated by TP-Link at up to 2976 Mbps across two bands.
• Four Gigabit ports, with one PoE passthrough port.
• Managed with the Omada SDN platform, or used standalone.
• Seamless roaming needs an Omada controller.
• Five-year warranty.

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