Wireless networking has changed the world in a big way over the past 15 years. Wireless technology has become widespread recently and you can connect almost anywhere: at home, at work, in libraries, at schools, in airports, in hotels, and even in restaurants.
Despite these advantages, however, Wi-Fi speed is still a problem, which could be due to many reasons, such as nearby interference or the way your router is set up, or if you live in an apartment building or a single-family home, where you can't move away from the router, etc. Even some other devices and electronics, such as cordless phones and microwave ovens, can affect Wi-Fi speed and quality.
Fortunately, there are ways to improve your Wi-Fi speed.
If you are one of those people who deals with the settings of your Wi-Fi router, you may have come across Channels with availability for more than one channel for the user. It is a proven fact that there are some channels that actually provide higher speed than others.
Channels 1, 6, and 11
Most modern Wi-Fi networks operate on a variety of frequencies. Home Wi-Fi networks use a narrow range of radio frequencies between 2.4GHz and 5GHz to transmit signals. Since the signal travels far and has the ability to penetrate walls very easily, 2.4 GHz is usually sufficient for large homes with multiple floors. However, 5 GHz is better for smaller homes, as it offers much faster speeds, albeit over a shorter range.
The distance between channels is very important, as overlap can lead to a very poor wireless network. Recent observations have highlighted that the use of 40MHz channels is affected, due to congested airwaves. Although the 5GHz band seems to be promoted since the launch of 802.11ac in the year 2013, it seems that 2.4GHz is still chosen for its compatibility, as well as its dual routers.
All Wi-Fi versions up to and including 802.11n (a, b, g, n) operate between the 2400 and 2500MHz frequencies. Similar to TV channels, this range is further divided into a number of smaller bands or channels. There are 14 channels available at 2.4GHz, separated by 5MHz, except for a 12MHz gap before channel 14. This insignificant signal range is the main reason that leads to channel overlap and poor performance on your wireless network.
Fortunately, channels like 1, 6, and 11 are spaced far apart, ensuring that there is no overlap. You should always try to use channel 1, 6, or 11 in an 802.11 a, b, or g installation. Additionally, choose channels 1, 6, and 11 if you are using 802.11n with 20 MHz channels. However, if you want to use the 40 MHz channels, be aware that the radio waves could create congestion, unless you live in a single-family home in the middle of nowhere.
What channel should you use in a densely populated area?
Channels 1, 6, and 11 are your best choice for minimizing interference and maximum speed. Remember that using any channel other than channels 1, 6, and 11 can create interference among other residents in your area.
5GHz
The biggest advantage of 5GHz (802.11n and 802.11ac) is the availability of more free space and high speed. Both 802.11n and 802.11ac can offer 23 non-overlapping 20MHz channels. This new router has the necessary hardware to be able to select, as well as modify the correct channel for maximum performance with minimal interference. If you are using 5GHz and live in an area with thick walls, you should expect less interference and faster channels such as 40, 80, and 160MHz channels.
Choosing the right channel will likely be a thing of the past soon as everyone eventually upgrades to newer hardware and moves to 5GHz. We should be prepared to deal with future changes in wireless networking with the hope of higher frequencies and new, adaptable antennas.
