Why 2.4GHz Wi-Fi is Both the Savior and the Scourge of the Smart Home

The inception of 2.4GHz radio frequency dates back to 1985. It was used for unlicensed communication; people did not have to pay for this frequency. Soon, it became a popular choice. Even to this date, 2.4GHz Wi-Fi is used in almost all our smart home appliances. This is because 2.4GHz radio frequency is cheap and compatible with almost all devices.

Another reason why 2.4GHz is used in home appliances is that it has the capability to pierce through walls better and also provide a longer coverage. Due to this reason, it provides better connectivity to the devices that are placed far away from the Wi-Fi router. There are fewer chances of drop-offs, thereby allowing users to enjoy a smooth and uninterrupted experience.

However, there are a few limitations to the 2.4GHz frequency. The spectrum of 2.4GHz is very narrow. This leaves room for congestion that might be caused due to overcrowding on the narrow spectrum of the frequency. To put it in simpler terms, a household may have many devices that use 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. All the devices that lie on the same spectrum range tend to cause congestion on the frequency, thereby causing unnecessary chatter. This makes it challenging to listen to one device distinctly. Bothersome, ain’t it?

When a network is congested, things tend to move slowly. This leads to diminished performance and latency.

Using a 5GHz or 6GHz bandwidth can help to eliminate this problem. A 5 or 6 GHz band allows the Wi-Fi of the smart home more room by providing a wider spectrum. New bands open up newer lanes for all the Wi-Fi-connected devices in your smart home, thereby reducing the chance of congestion. Devices like laptops, tablets, and security cameras require a wider band.

Many modern routers are equipped with a band steering technology which transfers the dual-band gadgets automatically to 5 or 6GHz. One can also use a mesh router system to tackle the multiple access points in a household smoothly. Opting for these methods will help to keep latency at bay and ease the pressure on a single bandwidth.