Every router in this month’s Labs supports wireless networking in two different frequency ranges: the 2.4GHz radio band and the 5GHz band. In our reviews, however, we’ve focused solely on performance in the 5GHz range, because that’s what you’ll probably be using 99% of the time. The higher frequency means connections are faster and 5GHz radio transmissions are also less susceptible to radio interference from home appliances and other sources.
You might wonder why 2.4GHz connections are still supported at all. Partly it’s to ensure compatibility with older devices as 5GHz support was only added to the Wi-Fi spec with the 802.11n specification in 2009.
However, 2.4GHz networking also has some practical advantages. For one, the hardware is cheaper, so simple IoT-type devices such as smart plugs and lights often work on…
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PC Pro (Digital) - 1 Issue, April 2021