Wifi frequency bands 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz

 In the Wi-Fi world, there are two common bands for Wi-Fi communication: 2.4GHz and 5GHz. The 2.4 GHz band is the oldest and has been around since 802.11b was released in 1999.

What is the difference between the bands?

The 2.4GHz band offers the most coverage. The range decreases at higher frequencies because the higher frequencies have more difficulty getting through solid objects such as walls and floors. In contrast, the higher frequencies transmit data at higher speeds.

Interference from other devices can also affect the connection. Many technologies and other household appliances such as microwave ovens, baby monitors and bluetooth devices use the 2.4 GHz band. When several devices try to use the same wireless room, overcrowding occurs, which causes the connections to deteriorate or even fail.

The 5 GHz band is usually less busy than the 2.4 GHz band because fewer devices use it. In addition, the 5 GHz band has 23 channels for devices to use, while the 2.4 GHz band has only 11 channels. The number of channels available depends on the wireless regulations in the region.

The latest 6GHz band

The 6GHz band, introduced with the new Wi-Fi 6E standard, transmits data at the fastest speeds but offers the least coverage. The big advantage of the 6GHz band is that it is exclusive to devices that support Wi-Fi 6E. This means that the Wi-Fi network at 6 GHz does not have to slow down to support older devices. In addition, the 6GHz band also supports almost twice as many channels as 5GHz.

Bottom Line: Fewer devices, more spectrum, and more bandwidth means less interference, less network congestion, and faster speed.