The Difference Between 2.4 GHz And 5 GHz Frequencies: An Informative Guide
There has been a lot of confusion regarding the frequencies present in the WiFi router which comes with the dual-band features. So, have you ever purchased a new WiFi router? Then, you might notice that the router has both 2.4 GigaHertz and 5 GigaHertz frequencies bands. It is also possible that you have an older router whose frequency is 2.4 GHz and want to upgrade the router into a 5 GHz frequency. So, the question arises what is the difference between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands? Before choosing a frequency band randomly or going for the higher frequency band, first, you need to understand the significance of choosing them.
If you have the same question on your mind, then this article is for you. Here, in this article, we are going to talk about the frequency band and what are the major aspects of the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency.
The Most Significant Difference Between 2.4 GHz 5 GHz Frequency
At first, you need to have a brief idea about the frequency band. Moreover, a frequency band is an interval in the frequency domain. It means how wireless data is transmitted between devices. At present, all the routers launched with dual-band frequency. In the dual-band frequency both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz transmitted between the devices.
Now, WiFi routers work pretty well in the 2.4 GHz. The problem is that it is not just a standard band which is used in WiFi routers. It is also used in many other devices and this creates so much confusion. Due to using so many devices, the signal becomes overcrowded in 2.4 GHz and thus, causing a lot of interference with the WiFi signals. So, that is why the 5 GHz band was added in the WiFi router.
The 5 GHz band is a newer band and that is why this is not used in common as the 2.4 GHz. it is used by fewer devices. The 5 GigaHertz is not as crowded as 2.4 GigaHertz. So, using 5 GHz would relieve the problem related to slow network, speeds, and connection drops that will be caused by interference from other devices.
Now, lets discuss the difference between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
1. Speed
The value of the frequency of the WiFi network directly depends on the speed of the WiFi signal. It is common that a higher frequency band has higher speed and vice-versa.
So, it is clear that when you use 5 GHz frequency band in our router, the speed of the internet will increase as compared to the 2.4 GHz. The uploading and downloading speed also increases when you use 5 GHz frequency band on your router.
2. Range
Another factor about the two bands that differ from each other is the rand or coverage of WiFi signal.
The simple thing is that the high speed of a network will cost a high range. Furthermore, the high-frequency band of the WiFi router has a low range of WiFi signal. The reasons behind this, the high-frequency band cannot perceive the walls and difficulties on its way. Hence, you will get less coverage when you use 5 GHz in place of 2.4 GHz frequency bands.
3. Interference
Interference of the signal also differs between the two types of frequency bands. Basically, interference is the number of channels of a frequency band can hold. In the 2.4 GHz frequency band there are only 11 channels available which are used to support the frequency band and create overcrowding. On the other hand, in 5 GHz there are 23 channels available because there only a few electronic devices use these bands. Less traffic and less interference increase the speed of the internet.
You can use anyone band in your WiFi router. If you want high speed, then you need to use 5 GigaHertz and on the other hand, if you want less speed and high coverage then you should use 2.4 GigaHertz. Hence, choose your frequency band wisely.