Wi-Fi is essential for all businesses. Estimates for 2023 suggest that 46.69% of all business internet traffic in the U.S. will come through a Wi-Fi connection. Even if they have a wired desktop connection, employees can use Wi-Fi for laptops, tablets and phones. The growing use of Internet of Things (IoT) devices also requires strong Wi-Fi signals. Businesses have many choices when setting up internet and Wi-Fi connections. Variables like features, number of users and speed requirements affect this decision. You also need to consider other factors, like the type of Wi-Fi frequency bands you need to handle wireless traffic in your business.
What are Wi-Fi frequency bands?
Wi-Fi frequency bands use radio waves to transmit information. They are on the same frequency spectrum as radio waves. Radio stations transmit on the lower end of this range. For instance, most FM radio stations broadcast between 88.0 to 108.0 MHz. These frequencies allow them to transmit over long distances. Wi-Fi is much higher on the spectrum. It sits between 2.4 and 6 GHz. These frequencies only allow short-range transmission. However, the high-frequencies enablefaster data transmission. A Wi-Fi router transmits data on one of three radio frequency bands:
- 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi band: This Wi-Fi band provides the best coverage. You have fewer connection issues and many devices are compatible with this frequency. Household devices, such as garage door openers and smart thermostats, often use this band. In all, 2.4 GHz has 11 channels and the band is about 70 MHz wide.
- 5 GHz Wi-Fi band: This higher band does not cover as wide an area as 2.4GHz routes. However, it boasts much higher data transmission speeds and has 23 channels and a width of 500 MHz. Since fewer devices can connect to the 5 GHz band, it is usually less crowded, increasing speed even more.
- 6 GHz Wi-Fi band: The highest speed Wi-Fi band can transmit more data faster because the band is 1200 Mhz wide. It also has more channels, making it ideal for businesses with data-intensive operations. Some routers can use both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands.
How Wi-Fi bands affect network performance
Your choice of Wi-Fi band can affect performance. You should consider factors like speed, range and interference when choosing the best frequency for your needs.
- Speed and Wi-Fi bands: Speeds vary slightly depending on hardware and the speed of service you receive from your internet service provider (ISP). With the 2.4 GHz router, you can reach speeds of 100 Mbps. 5 GHz bands transmit 1 Gbps, while 6 GHz routes reach 2 Gbps.
- Range and Wi-Fi bands: A 2.4 GHz router can cover a building with multiple rooms and reach outdoor areas because the lower frequency allows it to be transmitted through walls more easily. 5 GHz routers operate at a higher frequency than 2.4 GHz and can transmit data more quickly, but can have difficulty transmitting data through walls. 6 GHz hardware has the fastest operating speeds but has a limited range, as this frequency makes it difficult for the signal to pass through walls which can impact data speeds.
- Interference and Wi-Fi bands: Older devices only connect to the 2.4 GHz band, leading to a cluttered network with devices interfering with one another. This problem is less evident in the higher bands. There are fewer connected devices and a wider bandwidth. As you can see, each Wi-Fi band comes with drawbacks and advantages. Your choice depends on which band provides the benefits you need with the fewest negatives.
What is dual-band Wi-Fi?
Some routers try to provide the best of both worlds. Dual-band Wi-Fi hardware sends signals on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. The two options give you expanded range and faster speeds. Dual-band routers come in two varieties. Some are selectable, allowing you to choose between 2.4 Ghz and 5 GHz signals. However, with selectable units, you can only use one band at a time. Simultaneous dual-band routers transmit on both frequencies at the same time. In other words, you have two independent networks on which to connect. This increases overall bandwidth, allowing you to connect more devices without overcrowding the network.
What is tri-band Wi-Fi?
Tri-band Wi-Fi routers transit on the same frequencies as dual-band hardware, and they have the same advantages, with one important difference. They transmit on two independent 5 GHz bands instead of one. The second band increases the overall bandwidth, allowing you to connect more devices without causing interference. Larger companies or businesses that let customers connect to their Wi-Fi can benefit from this arrangement.
Wi-Fi 5 vs Wi-Fi 6
Businesses requiring high-speed Wi-Fi have two options. Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi 6 operate on 5 GHz and 6 GHz bands, respectively. Both can handle large file transfers and data-intensive tasks like video streaming and big data analytics. Both Wi-Fi 5 and Wi-Fi offer features like orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), which breaks data and files into smaller packets for more efficient transmission. Because of its wider bandwidth, Wi-Fi 6 can accommodate more devices than Wi-Fi 5 without interference. Also, it is faster at 2 Gbps versus 1 Gbps for Wi-Fi 5. While the speed difference might not be evident in households or small offices, it could make a difference for businesses relying on real-time processes or rapid data transfers. The newest available incarnation of high-speed wireless is Wi-Fi 6e. The primary difference between these two bands is that 6e has wider channels, and has 160 Mhz instead of 80 Mhz. This allows for more device connections without interference, faster speeds and less latency. Despite the benefits of WiFi 6 or 6e, non-compatible devices cannot connect to the networks. In a business, you will need to make sure your current laptops, phones, tablets and IoT hardware can connect to Wi-Fi 6e before you upgrade your Wi-Fi.
Wi-Fi 7
The newest generation of Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi 7, was introduced by the Wi-Fi Alliance in early 2024. It's expected to have a theoretical speed of 46 Gbps — although actual speeds could be significantly slower — and even wider channels than what is currently offered on Wi-Fi 6e. In addition to providing even greater speeds and capacities, the introduction of Wi-Fi 7 is yet another example of why businesses should aim to future ready their tech, so their existing devices are capable of connecting to this and future iterations of Wi-Fi.
What about 5G?
5G transmits cellular data at very high speeds. It differs from Wi-Fi, which requires a router with a wired connection. 5G can hypothetically reach speeds of 10 Gbps or higher. However, low-band frequencies (1 GHz or lower) offer speeds of 50 Mbps or higher. Mid-band 5G occupies 2 GHz, and high-speed 5G is much higher on the spectrum. It sits between 24 GHz and 53 Hz. While Wi-Fi is available to anyone in the coverage area with login permission, 5G requires a cellular connection along with a compatible device and data service.
Choosing the right network for your business
The best Wi-Fi network for your business is the one that provides the features you need without extras you will not use. Three of the most important considerations are speed, compatibility and number of devices. Here's a closer look at these three factors:
- Speed: While 2.4 GHz is enough to run basic office applications, you may need Wi-Fi 5 or 6 for software requiring higher speeds.
- Number of devices: Wider bands can accommodate more devices without causing interference.
- Compatibility: This is especially true if you have legacy devices, older computers, connected sensors or other IoT products. If you already have Wi-Fi, you can decide if a change is necessary.
Checking your frequencies
You can check your Wi-Fi frequency by connecting to the network and opening the Wi-Fi connection panel. You should see information about the frequency of the connection as well as the IP address, transmit and receive link speeds and signal strength. This information can tell you what your current Wi-Fi band is and help you decide if it is fast enough for your needs.
Switching between frequencies
If you switch to a different frequency, you need to ensure your devices are compatible with the new frequency. Some legacy devices or low-power IoT units may only connect to 2.4 GHz networks. You would need a simultaneous dual-band or tri-band router to provide a connection to these older products while also giving newer computers and phones the speed they need for full productivity.
