What are the Wi-Fi frequency bands and what are the differences between them

 

We often come across terms like 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, 60 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi. These are actually Wi-Fi frequency bands (so-called bands), which are used to establish connections with devices.

What are the Wi-Fi frequency bands and what are the differences between them

Wi-Fi is basically a facility that allows computers, smartphones, and other devices to connect to the Internet or communicate with each other wirelessly, within a specific area. It is a technology that has been used for a long time and if all other things in technology, and it has advanced over time.

IEEE 802.11 standards set certain attributes for different channels that can be used in a wireless network. Earlier versions such as 801.11b support the 5GHz frequency band. Also 802.11b and 802.11g only support the 2.4 GHz radio frequency band. In addition, there is the 802.11n standard, which also offers a 5 GHz frequency range.

WiFi speed

Here we will discuss the differences related to the 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 60GHz frequency bands used for wireless networking. First of all, we know that the first thing that interests everyone, when we talk about using Wi-Fi, is speed.

By logic alone, we can conclude that a frequency of 5 GHz probably provides a higher speed compared to a frequency of 2.4 GHz. And that's really true, because the 5GHz band includes a much larger number of channels, 23 to be specific, while the 2.4GHz only has 3 channels.

For Wi-Fi-N, two bands work simultaneously for networked devices. The Wi-Fi 5GHz band only supports Wi-Fi-AC and has a bandwidth of up to 42Mhz, and also features larger channel widths of 80MHz and 160MHz that allow higher speeds.

Another thing that is important to note is the Wi-Fi range (coverage), especially if you are one of those who hate a weak Wi-Fi signal. Whenever we talk about range in terms of Wi-Fi, we actually mean the distance covered by the waves transmitted from the antenna to the receiving device.

As we all know that the frequency of 5 GHz is faster than e.g. 2.4 GHz, but this brings with it one side effect, that radio waves with a higher frequency are harder to pass through dense obstacles such as walls and other similar objects. If we take the example of the range of a Wifi router indoors, the range of a Wi-Fi-G router would average about 70m, while for a Wi-Fi-AC router it would be about 35m.

WiFi-AD 60GHz

There’s also Wi-Fi-AD 60GHz (IEEE 802.11ad) or WiGig, this band is also used in Wi-Fi networks. It can enable data transfer speeds of up to 8Gbps, and the indoor range is around 60m on average.

It is important to note that higher radio frequencies like 5GHz and 60GHz bring more benefits. One of the important advantages is reduced interference with other networks in the same area. For example, the Bluetooth technology we use, as well as the walkie-talkies, operate in the 2.4 GHz frequency band.

We often come across terms like 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi, 60 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi. These are actually Wi-Fi frequency bands (so-called bands), which are used to establish connections with devices.

What are the Wi-Fi frequency bands and what are the differences between them

Wi-Fi is basically a facility that allows computers, smartphones, and other devices to connect to the Internet or communicate with each other wirelessly, within a specific area. It is a technology that has been used for a long time and if all other things in technology, and it has advanced over time.

IEEE 802.11 standards set certain attributes for different channels that can be used in a wireless network. Earlier versions such as 801.11b support the 5GHz frequency band. Also 802.11b and 802.11g only support the 2.4 GHz radio frequency band. In addition, there is the 802.11n standard, which also offers a 5 GHz frequency range.

This brings us to the term - dual-band. Of course, with the different radio frequency bands and modules that support them, the question arises as to their differences and which standard is better.

WiFi speed

Here we will discuss the differences related to the 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 60GHz frequency bands used for wireless networking. First of all, we know that the first thing that interests everyone, when we talk about using Wi-Fi, is speed.

By logic alone, we can conclude that a frequency of 5 GHz probably provides a higher speed compared to a frequency of 2.4 GHz. And that's really true, because the 5GHz band includes a much larger number of channels, 23 to be specific, while the 2.4GHz only has 3 channels.

For Wi-Fi-N, two bands work simultaneously for networked devices. The Wi-Fi 5GHz band only supports Wi-Fi-AC and has a bandwidth of up to 42Mhz, and also features larger channel widths of 80MHz and 160MHz that allow higher speeds.

Another thing that is important to note is the Wi-Fi range (coverage), especially if you are one of those who hate a weak Wi-Fi signal. Whenever we talk about range in terms of Wi-Fi, we actually mean the distance covered by the waves transmitted from the antenna to the receiving device.

As we all know that the frequency of 5 GHz is faster than e.g. 2.4 GHz, but this brings with it one side effect, that radio waves with a higher frequency are harder to pass through dense obstacles such as walls and other similar objects. If we take the example of the range of a Wifi router indoors, the range of a Wi-Fi-G router would average about 70m, while for a Wi-Fi-AC router it would be about 35m.

WiFi-AD 60GHz

There’s also Wi-Fi-AD 60GHz (IEEE 802.11ad) or WiGig, this band is also used in Wi-Fi networks. It can enable data transfer speeds of up to 8Gbps, and the indoor range is around 60m on average.

It is important to note that higher radio frequencies like 5GHz and 60GHz bring more benefits. One of the important advantages is reduced interference with other networks in the same area. For example, the Bluetooth technology we use, as well as the walkie-talkies, operate in the 2.4 GHz frequency band.

While today’s modern routers come with packed capabilities of all these frequency ranges in order to achieve Gigabit speed, with as little compromise in range and range as possible. One example of such a router was also presented at this year's CES, the Linksys WRT32X. It works as a dual band at 2.4GHz and 5GHz, for longer range and reduced interference.

What are Dual and Tri-Band routers?

A dual band or two-band router is one that broadcasts a 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz signal from the same unit, providing basically two Wi-Fi networks, and using the best features from both worlds. It is important to note that there are two types of Dual-band routers:

“Selectable dual-band” - The dual-band selection router offers 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi, but you can only use one of them. Here you can easily switch which frequency band you want to use via the coil.

“Simultaneous dual-band”  - This router can use both frequency bands at the same time. It works by broadcasting two separate 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz Wi-Fi networks at the same time, giving you two Wi-Fi networks to choose from on your mobile or other device.

Some routers also allow you to assign the same SSID to two bands, so devices only see one network, although both networks are still active. Such routers are usually slightly more expensive than selection routers, but not much. The advantages of both bands acting at the same time outweigh the difference in price.

Three-band routers broadcast three networks simultaneously - two 5 GHz signals and one 2.4 GHz signal. The reason for this is to help alleviate network congestion. If you have multiple devices that heavily use a 5GHz connection as high-definition streaming or even 4K videos, then you will benefit from a three-band router that will more easily allocate power consumption to all three bands. Just keep in mind that such routers are expensive, so some cost over $ 400, such as. this Asus in the pictures.