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

WiFi Frequency Bands:

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.