Okay, so there’s been some talk about 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, but what exactly are those? And why should you care? Not to worry! We’re here to help you weigh your options so you can choose the best IT set-up for your lifestyle.
Wi-Fi Frequency Bands
2.4 GHz and 5 GHz are Wi-Fi frequency bands that refer to the rate of data transmission and the signal range. The higher the frequency, the faster the data transmission and the shorter the signal range.
With this in mind, we can say that the 2.4 GHz band transmits data at a lower speed but has more coverage, while the 5 GHz band provides less coverage but transmits data at faster speeds.
How are 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi and 5 GHz Wi-Fi different?
Now that we know what Wi-Fi frequency bands are, we can dive into the main differences between them.
2.4 GHz
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5 GHz
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Longer signal range
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Shorter signal range
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Slower data transmission rate
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Faster data transmission rate
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Used for low-bandwidth activities
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Used for high-bandwidth activities
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Susceptible to Wi-Fi interference
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Can avoid Wi-Fi interference
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You Should Choose 2.4 GHz if…
- Your home is spacious. 2.4 GHz has more signal coverage. While it has a slower transmission rate, 2.4 GHz will ensure that you get a good signal throughout your home.
- You mostly do low-bandwidth activities, such as browsing the internet.
- You don’t have many 2.4 GHz devices, such as garage openers or baby monitors.
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You Should Choose 5 GHz if…
- You have a smaller house, or your PC is close to your router since the 5 GHz band has low signal coverage.
- You engage in high-bandwidth activities, such as gaming or videoconferencing.
- You have many devices that use the 2.4 GHz band. The 5 GHz band can help avoid wireless congestion.
We hope we’ve helped make your choice easier. However, ensuring your internet set-up is optimal doesn’t end there. Another big factor to take into consideration is your internet security.
Now that you have access to the internet, you are prone to cyberattacks and breaches. As hackers get smarter, the need to protect your digital assets and network devices is even greater.
Internet security, in essence, prevents unwanted access and ensures your data remains accessible to those who you authorize. Sounds good? Great! Let’s walk through the different types of security options and see which is the best fit for your business!
Wired Equivalent Privacy (WEP)
WEP is a security algorithm introduced to provide data confidentiality for wireless networks. It aims to add a layer of security to the wireless network by offering strong encryption to the data. Though it has become obsolete, it is still used in modern times with older devices. WEP is the least secure network type.
Wi-Fi Protected Access (WPA)
WPA was developed to fill the gaps found within the WEP protocol. It aims to provide more sophisticated data encryption and better user authentication.
Wi-Fi Protected Access 2 (WPA2)
WPA2 has stronger security and is easier to configure than the prior options. It uses the Advanced Encryption Standard, which is able to secure top-secret government information, which makes it a brilliant option.
WPA2-PSK
WPA2-PSK (Pre-Shared Key) requires a single password to get on the wireless network. This makes it as safe as the people you entrust your password to. There could be major repercussions should the password fall into the wrong hands, which is why WPA2-PSK is used mainly for residential or open networks.
WPA2-Enterprise
WPA2-Enterprise is different from the other protocols in that it requires each user to have a password unique to them. Because each device is authenticated before it connects, a personal, encrypted tunnel is effectively created between the device and the network. The security benefits of a properly configured WPA2-Enterprise grant a near-impenetrable network.
Wi-Fi Protected Access 3 (WPA3)
WPA3 offers greater protection for passwords, individualised encryption for personal and open networks, and more security for enterprise networks.
WPA3-PSK
WPA3-PSK trumps WPA2 in that it offers greater protection for simple passwords, individualised encryption for personal and open networks, and even more secure encryption for enterprise networks.
It is essential that you choose a security option that is the most useful to you as a business. The last thing we want is for you to fret about the nitty-gritties of Wi-Fi frequencies and security options. Contact us today to see how we can help you set up your internet!
Contact us for IT Services today!
Oasis Intelligent IT Solutions.
Telephone: 011 784 9167
E-Mail: info@theoasis.co.za