WiFi Frequency Bands: Uses, advantages & disadvantages of 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 900MHz Ranges

WiFi Frequency Bands:

WiFi Frequency Bands: Data-Alliance.net

2.4GHz:

  • Older Consumer WiFi products (before 802.11ac) are 2.4GHz
  • Far better at traveling through walls than 5GHz
  • Disadvantage is that it is typically more cluttered with signals than 5GHz

5.2 to 5.8GHz

  • 5GHz band is used for private links and point to point links to avoid interference in 2.4GHz band.
  • Typically much less cluttered with signal-traffic.
  • Uses special multiplexing to eliminate "blind spots" in coverage over a cluttered area such as an RV park (Orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM).
  • Walls: Though the 5GHz band is not usually known as the frequency of choice to pass through walls, we have a case-study of 5GHz bridge using Ubiquiti NanoSation M5 passing signal through 3 or 4 walls in an apartment building with NanoStation M5 on each end.

900MHz:

  • Excellent at passing through trees / forested areas: If the tree(s) are not too thick or if your link is from a high point to a low point, 2.4GHz will probably suffice. But if 2.4GHz is over-crowded or the tree(s) are thick, 900MHz would be a better solution.

The following 900MHz options can pass through a single thick tree, or a small group of trees.

  • The lowest-cost option for a short link, to pass through trees, is LOCOM9.
  • For long-distance links to pass through trees, use NanoBridge M9.

Posted by George Hardesty on 22nd Nov 2023


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