Life in block houses is a big obstacle to work in the 2.4 GHz band, because it is known that the broadcasting of wireless networks is limited by their channel, and the living conditions in panel houses assume a forced neighborhood with many people at once, who are forced to share the Internet space. Because of the cheapness of 2.4 GHz equipment, it is publicly available, and therefore most often used, so it is not surprising that the load of network traffic at some points can be huge.
The Best 5 GHz Wi-Fi Channel for Your Router [March 2022]
To most people, all Wi-Fi networks can seem the same. As long as your router is properly connected to the Internet, the network is the network that allows you to watch Netflix, check Facebook, send emails, and do all the things you've built your Internet life on. However, those in the know know that many technologies are used on the network, and depending on how you configure the hardware и your Wi-Fi signal software, you can improve your performance with faster speeds and more reliable connections.
Wi-Fi bands make a big difference in the performance of your network. The 5 GHz Wi-Fi band, which, to be perfectly accurate, is very different from the 5G network deployment promoted by your carrier, is much better than the 2.4 GHz band used exclusively by your router. It's faster, can transmit much more data in less time, and has more channels available. This makes fine-tuning your router not just possible, but mandatory.
Choosing the right channel for you is not as simple as just choosing the default setting. Choosing the right channel for 5 GHz networks requires a lot of attention, and if you're ready to choose the right channel for you, then you've come to the right guide.
Channels in the 5 GHz Wi-Fi band
While only three channels are available on the old 2.4 GHz network, there are 25 preset channels on the newer 5 GHz network. The 5 GHz channels are divided into four bands that cater to different types of users. Here's a summary of each band before we get into the selection process and considerations.
UNII-1.
Starting at the bottom, the bottom four channels at 5 GHz are collectively referred to as the UNII-1 band. Channels 36, 40, 44 and 48 make up the list. This band covers frequencies from 5150 to 5250 MHz. The vast majority of devices operate on one of these four channels. They are for general home use, and you can access them freely at any time.
While these channels are often the most popular choice for users, leading to some congestion, there is a reason for that. These are by far the best channels to use at home, and there are ways to reduce the risks of network congestion. Be sure to use a secure password to keep unwanted guests out, and consider disabling devices you don't use.
UNII-2.
The UNII-2 section also contains four channels, 52, 56, 60, and 64. They occupy frequency bands from 5250 to 5350 MHz. This band is also referred to as UNII-2A. The UNII-2B band is between 5350 MHz and 5470 MHz. The extended UNII-2C/UNII-2 band is between 5470 MHz and 5725 MHz. This range includes channels 100 to 140. To use this band, your device must be equipped with Dynamic Frequency Selection (DFS) and Transmit Power Control (TPC). This ensures that it will not interfere with weather stations, radars or military equipment.
UNII-3
The UNII-3 or UNII-Upper range is from 5725 MHz to 5850 MHz. It contains the following channels: 149, 153, 157, 161 and 165. Because of the overlap of frequencies assigned to the ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) band, it is often referred to as the UNII-3/ISM. spectrum. If you are going to use channels in this band, you must have SPF and TPC installed on your device.
A little history
The term "wireless" refers to any type of radio frequency connection that exists between two or more terminals without a physical conductor like a cable. Even the simplest walkie-talkies are capable of catching and transmitting mobile signals using an antenna. Both transmitting and receiving devices will have an antenna to capture and transmit the signal. But the classic TV remote control does NOT use wireless technology, although there is a certain remote "contact" between it and the TV, which appears when you turn it on, this is done with the help of the infrared port (IR port).
And what is "Wi-Fi" in this case? In short, it is a local wireless networking (WLAN) technology that applies to devices and gadgets that support the IP protocol at a speed corresponding to that of an Ethernet cable.
Important! Today's smartphones, tablets, smart TV, camcorders, gaming consoles and other gadgets and devices support this technology by default.
What is it IEEE 802.11
IEEE is a non-profit organization, which actually owns the trademark "Wi-Fi", as well as the certified devices that support the technology.
The term WiFi itself is the brand name of the WiFi Alliance, a for-profit organization of several companies interested in promoting a single, common standard for wireless Internet connections. Today, the whole world knows the brand as a mechanism for connecting electronic devices to the Internet through a wireless network access point.
Important! The technology originated when there was a demand for a universal wireless connection mechanism that could coordinate between different electronic devices.
- The first WLAN concept was created in 1997 by the IEEE, and was named "802.11". This standard had a bandwidth of up to 2 Mbit/sec at 2.4 GHz, It lasted two years and is now obsolete. In today's market it is impossible to find equipment that supports this standard.
- Two years later IEEE 802.11 a was created, a new version with a top speed of 54 Mbps and operating at 5 GHz, which was supposed to make the problem of interference from wireless phones using 2.4 GHz irrelevant.
- In July 1999, IEEE 802.11b was released, capable of speeds up to 11 Mbps, which for 1999 was equivalent to Ethernet (cable) speeds. This technology was well received by device manufacturers because of its low cost, but could affect the operation of appliances such as microwave ovens, or cell phones. In general, 802.11b is a standard characterized by: low manufacturing costs, good signal, but also low speed and risk of interference with home devices using the 2.4 GHz band.
- Then came IEEE 802.11 g in 2003 and IEEE 802.11 n in 2009, with top speeds up to 54 Mbps and 600 Mbps. Both have had major international acceptance largely due to the wide availability of the 2.4 GHz band for electronic devices, although IEEE 802.11 n operates at 5 GHz.
- Although the 802.11n standard is much newer, the 802.11g standard is now more widely adopted by the general public because of its speed and lower price than its predecessors. The new IEEE 802.11ac protocol, also known as wifi 5g, is now in use. The current 802.11ac standard provides transmission speeds of up to 1,000 Mbps in the 5 GHz band. Among other things, the standard is noted for low interference and discontinuities. On the downside, there is a lower level of coverage.
Which 5 GHz Wi-Fi channel should I consider?
With a full understanding of how these 5 GHz bandwidth channels work, it's time to choose the best one. Although UNII-1 channels are considered the best for most consumers, there are many things to consider before blocking your channel. From the size of your home to interference from surrounding antennas, here's what you need to consider.
Wi-Fi interference
By far the most common cause of slow Internet and hanging pages is interference. There are two types of interference – interference from other Wi-Fi devices and interference from other electronic devices that do not use Wi-Fi. For example, you may have devices that can interfere with your Wi-Fi signal, even if they are not using a Wi-Fi signal.
- Devices that use UNII-1 channels, for the most part, are not capable of producing signals that can cause severe interference. Therefore, they rank low on the interference chart.
- UNII-2 and UNII-2 Extended channels have the least amount of interference of all. These are channels 52 through 140. However, you will need TPC and DFS for them.
- Channels in the UNII-3 band tend to have the worst interference problems. As with UNII-2 channels, you will need TPC and DFS to use them.
Channel Traffic
Next, before you connect, you should consider how much traffic is on the channel. If there are few users, this may be a good option. However, if the interference is heavy, it is better to use a busy channel with little interference. This is why the UNII-1 band is usually the best choice.
In crowded areas, you can check every available channel and go to the one with the least traffic. If the situation is very bad, you can coordinate with your neighbors.
Location
Depending on where you live, you should be aware of the laws and regulations regarding the use of 5 GHz channels. In most countries around the world, including the United States and Canada, UNII-1 channels are recommended for general use. In the U.S., you can use channels from the UNII-2 and UNII-3 bands, but certain restrictions apply. Since the UNII-3 band allows you to use more powerful devices, you are more likely to get heavy interference if you choose the UNII-3 channel.
What's the verdict?
When looking for the best 5 GHz channel for your device, you should choose a channel with low interference and low traffic. If you are going to go beyond the UNII-1 band, it is recommended to have DFS and TPC on your device. Again, if you don't need the speeds above 450-600 Mbps that 2.4GHz offers, it may not be worth the hassle of switching to 5GHz.
Have you switched Wi-Fi from 2.4GHz to 5GHz? Did you notice a difference? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!
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