Getting a 5GHz router

[eporro]

Now that Wave 1 of 802.11ac is out, I am looking into getting a router that uses 5GHz to use with my compatible clients. One thing that has prevented me from moving to 5GHz under 802.11n was that the range is a lot shorter compared to 2.4GHz.

Does 802.11ac penetrate or travel any further than a 5GHz 802.11n signal would? Pay no attention to throughput at same distances. If one was trying to just have the signal from point A to point B and C, and 802.11n could reach point B but not C, is 802.11ac able to reach point C?

On another note, since 802.11ac only runs on 5GHz, would a 802.11n client capable of using 5GHz be able to connect to a 802.11ac router?

 

[alkemyst]

You have to check out the specifications on whatever device you are using.

In general a 5GHz wavelength has the same limitations no matter what it's carrying.

 

[JackMDS]

1. There is No 5GHZ Routers.

There is 5GHz Wireless Band in some APs (Access Points) that are part of a Wireless Router.

2. Pure A Band (5GHz) provides less distance than N on 2.4GHz.

3. AC Wireless is not only A (5ghz) only, it is Dual Band like a/b/g/n with some improvement to the A transmission.

That said, as a whole Dual Band WIFI works better than Single Band WIFI.

 

[eporro]

Excuse my terminology. I am aware that it is a 5GHz AP built into a router and not just a 5GHz router. I typed this quickly and didnt make sure that my terminology was exact.

You have to check out the specifications on whatever device you are using.

In general a 5GHz wavelength has the same limitations no matter what it's carrying.

With that said, in general, I should not expect for an AC access point to reach further than an N access point without taking into consideration any specific enhancements that they could have?

 

[alkemyst]

what device are you choosing?

 

[eporro]

I haven't decided yet. Just want to get the base information first. If I am not going to see improved range, I do not want to spend extra money for an AC AP and instead get a N AP since all of my devices for the foreseeable future will only have 802.11N

 

[azazel1024]

Excuse my terminology. I am aware that it is a 5GHz AP built into a router and not just a 5GHz router. I typed this quickly and didnt make sure that my terminology was exact.



With that said, in general, I should not expect for an AC access point to reach further than an N access point without taking into consideration any specific enhancements that they could have?

Yes-ish and no-ish. It'll will have somewhat better usable range, but it won't have better absolute maximum range. Still same physics limits.

However, the difference between being able to get, say, 10Mbps through 3 walls and 20ft in a house with 11n 5GHz and then nothing one room further away and 100Mbps through 3 walls and 20ft in a house and also nothing one room further away still makes it a big usability difference.

5GHz is still 5GHz, but you DO have significantly better performance a higher attenuation/weaker signal strength with 11ac, but physics hasn't changed. It does make medium and long distance work much better where 2.4GHz was often better as soon as you left the room the access point was in. Now 5GHz with 11ac is often much better until you start pushing the very edge of 5GHz reception.

 

[eporro]

Yes-ish and no-ish. It'll will have somewhat better usable range, but it won't have better absolute maximum range. Still same physics limits.

However, the difference between being able to get, say, 10Mbps through 3 walls and 20ft in a house with 11n 5GHz and then nothing one room further away and 100Mbps through 3 walls and 20ft in a house and also nothing one room further away still makes it a big usability difference.

5GHz is still 5GHz, but you DO have significantly better performance a higher attenuation/weaker signal strength with 11ac, but physics hasn't changed. It does make medium and long distance work much better where 2.4GHz was often better as soon as you left the room the access point was in. Now 5GHz with 11ac is often much better until you start pushing the very edge of 5GHz reception.

Thanks. That cleared it up for me

 

[Frankie]

I just got a router that uses 5GHz, the Netgear Nighthawk AC1900. I have to say that initially it has increased my internet download speed by 10 Mbps on the 2.4ghz band as well as the wired connection.

I do have a question though, do the new Smart TV's with the WiFi use 5GHz? Also, how do you tell what devices use the 5GHz, other than connecting them and see which one it connects to?

 

[JackMDS]

Also, how do you tell what devices use the 5GHz, other than connecting them and see which one it connects to?

If the device's data sheet mention A as in ABGN or A/B/G/N. or AC, then it is Dual Band with 5GHz.

I.e., A stands for the 5GHz Band (B,G,N, are 2.4GHz).

 

[alkemyst]

If the device's data sheet mention A as in ABGN or A/B/G/N. or AC, then it is Dual Band with 5GHz.

I.e., A stands for the 5GHz Band (B,G,N, are 2.4GHz).

802.11a just means 5GHz and 54Mbps

802.11n offers 2.4GHz and 5GHz and much higher Mbps. I think technically it's 600Mbps.

I am just being honest here, not trolling which people seem to always suspect me of.

 

[Frankie]

Thanks. I'll have to check the network card on my laptop and check what Smart TV's have 5GHz, since I'm in the market for one.

 

[bonehead123]

since all of my devices for the foreseeable future will only have 802.11N

If you don't have (or wont be getting soon) devices that can use the AC band, there is NO point in spending the extra money on an AC Router....just get a top of the line N model & be happy If you will be upgrading soon, then by all means go for it & you will be all set when the time comes.

do the new Smart TV's with the WiFi use 5GHz?

FYI Frankie:

very few, if any, smart tv's have AC capabilities built in atm, unless you go for the top of the line models and they cost big $$$$.... if you want AC-level streaming like netflix or other service, just get a Roku 3 (the newest version) for $89 and pipe that to a more reasonable priced TV via a high quality HDMI cable.

I just got a router that uses 5GHz, the Netgear Nighthawk AC1900. I have to say that initially it has increased my internet download speed by 10 Mbps on the 2.4ghz band as well as the wired connection

FYI #2: I have the Nighthawk, and love it. I put my 5 AC capable devices on the 5 GHZ band and left everything else (7) on 2.4....now EVERYBODY in da house is happy cause we all can be doing multiple things online with multiple devices without interuption !

 

[JackMDS]

802.11a just means 5GHz and 54Mbps

802.11n offers 2.4GHz and 5GHz and much higher Mbps. I think technically it's 600Mbps.

I am just being honest here, not trolling which people seem to always suspect me of.

Putting it this way is correct concerning general capabilities but misleading for N users that are Not savvy in this issue.

I.e., they might thing that if they have n capable AP/Wireless Card it is also Dual band.