Choosing the right router frequency can affect your upload and download speeds more than you think.

Blacksburg, Virginia, 10/11/2021

Your router uses radio frequencies to transmit internet to your devices. The difference between 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi comes down to two factors: bandwidth (speed) and range. The speeds you receive over WiFi also depend on which service you are signed up for.

2.4 GHz wireless networks cover a larger range than 5 GHz networks. Signals of 5 GHz frequencies do not penetrate solid objects as well as 2.4 GHz signals, and this limits the reach of 5 GHz frequencies inside homes. So, is 5 GHz useful? Absolutely! If the router is near you (in the same room) you can take advantage of the faster speeds and less congestion.

With a dual-band router, you can set it to transmit at both frequencies at the same time. In this case, you’ll have two networks that appear in your network list, with identical names, except for a "5G" or "2.4G" at the end. You can then connect each of your individual devices to either one of the networks. Check your specific model of router for compatibility and frequency capabilities.

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