5GHz WiFi versus 2.4GHz? Is it worth it?

[admin_exported]

I have recently upgraded my broadband from 10 Mbps to 30 Mbps with Virgin Media. I know that I am getting the full 30 Mbps as it has been verified by Sam Knows. My problem being that I struggle to get much above 20 Mbps over a wireelss connection. They sent me a Super Hub for the increased speed, although why they see this as necessary I'm not really sure as my previous router, a D-Link DIR-615 has the same wireless speed and rating as the Super Hub. The ethernet ports can handle 3x greater speeds than the D-Link, but the LAN isn't the issue here.

I can get the full 30 Mbps when connected via ethernet, but can't get anywhere near that with the wireless. I have gone through all 13 wireless channels and found the one that seems to work best, but I can't seem to get anywhere over 25 Mbps. That's not a reliable 25 Mbps either, it drops to just over 20 at times... I don't really understand why there is this discrepancy when the wireless adapter claims to be connecting to the router at 216 Mbps (at the moment), so should be more than enough to handle a 30 Mbps internet connection... I know it's the wireless that's restricting the speed as I get the full speed over ethernet, but what can I do to get the full 30 Mbps over the wireless network?

One thing I did notice was that the Super Hub is a dual band router, so I could change it to a 5 GHz frequency rather than the default 2.4 GHz. I would have to buy a new wireless adapter, which I can get for £32.64 on Amazon (Netgear WNDA3100v2), which I don't mind doing, but will it actually make much of a difference? I am currently using a Netgear WN111v2 which only operates at 2.4 GHz.

Does anyone have any other suggestions as to what I could do to improve my wireless speed and reliability? Has anyone done a comparison of 2.4 GHz versus 5 GHs?

Thanks in advance for any advice/input.

 

[roger06]

What version are you using? 802.11n should be capable of about 130MBPS...

 

[Anonymous]

I'm using 802.11N, and the speed between the router and the adapter appears to range from 100 Mbps to 250 Mbps, so should be more than enough to handle an intenret connection of 30 Mbps.

 

[Anonymous]

Do u have any other wireless devices connected?

The wireless network will drop to the speed of the slowest device connected.

 

[Anonymous]

I just have my laptop connected

The wireless network will drop to the speed of the slowest device connected.

I know my router is getting the full 30Mbps and my laptop is using an adapter that should be more than capable of harnesing that speed. There shouldn't be any "slow" link in the chain...

 

[Anonymous]

and u have the latest firmware ?

http://community.virginmedia.com/t5/Announcements/Super-Hub-Firmware-Update-R25-07-04-11/td-p/435539

 

[Paul.]

Do you have alot of local wifi traffic? I.e, when you look at the available networks list are there alot? It's good to switch to 5ghz if there is alot of wifi traffic around, as that spectrum will be much less congested.

 

[Anonymous]

and u have the latest firmware ?

Yes, I have the latest firmware V5.5.2R25

Do you have alot of local wifi traffic?

I wouldn't say so, there are a few other networks, all of which are much weaker than mine apart from one which has a good signal from my house. They are all on different channels to mine. At the moment, I can only see one network other than my own.

 

[Zarn_Smith]

dougolada, in answer to your original question, I would say yes. Where I live there are half a dozen detectable 2.4 Ghz networks. With only 3 (20Mhz) non overlapping channels (1 6 and 11) it is damn near impossible to get the full bitrate. Using the 5Ghz band I get a channel bonded low interference connection to the wi-fi AP which has no problem pulling 150Mbit/sec all day. For day to day connectivity the 2.4 range is cool. For video streaming 5 is the way forward. The disadvantage with 5 Ghz is range reduction... Good in the sense that you don't pickup as many neighbour networks, bad in the sense that if your AP is at the other end of the house, you may be better off with 2.4 Ghz.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for that Zarn, very helpful! I think I will invest in a dual band wireless adapter. At least my router already offers 5Ghz so I won't have to buy a replacement router as well. My intention will be to use my D-Link router as a 2.4 GHz access point for my HTC Desire Z and use my Virgin Super Hub as a 5 GHz access point for my laptop. Everything else connects via ethernet (I like cabling ) so no issues with interference for the rest of my equipment.

Anyone got any opinions on the best dual band wireless adapter for a laptop?

 

[Anonymous]

I have just bought a new Linksys WUSB600N Dual Band wireless adapter from Ebay for £19.98 including P&P. Hopefully it will sort my problem... I find it quite amusing that I can pick up 4 different wireless networks in my area, all on channel 11. I wonder if they have connectivity issues

 

[Anonymous]

Interesting thread. Zarn - can you tell me what router you're using. I've read some semi-anecdotal stuff from a year or two ago about 5GHz channel bonding being illegal in the UK and some other Euro countries, but I'm not convinced this legislation still applies, or is relevant (it was orginally relating to the Apple Airport Extreme when it launched).

 

[Anonymous]

Well, I got my Linksys WUSB600N dual band wireless adapter and...

Signal strength: 1-2 bars... Hmm, that's not right

I get 4 bars of signal from a Netgear USB wireless adapter and 5 bars from the internal wireless adapter in my laptop, but only 1-2 with the Linksys.

After several hours of doing everything I could think of; updating firmware, uninstalling, reinstalling, changing channels, changing from 5 GHz to 2.4GHz and back etc. I decided I would seek support from Linksys. I spent the best part of an hour on a "live chat" with someone from Linksys and in all that time, all that was suggested was:

1. Unplug the adapter for 15 seconds then plug it back in again

2. Disable any other wireless adapters on the computer

3. Move closer to the router

After the truly top notch tech support

he advised the adapter must be faulty.

I have emailed the seller and asked for a replacement. I hope it is a faulty adapter and not just a rubbish one!

Will see how I get on with a replacement if the seller offers me one...

 

[Anonymous]

This may have been suggested above as I have not had the time to read through the entire thread. Why don't you buy two home plugs and use ethernet instead. You'll get well over 30mps.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/D-Link-DHP-307AV-PowerLine-Homeplug-Network/dp/B003L78F6U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1304957371&sr=8-1

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the suggestion Spooks. After having had a lot of hassle and generally poor performance from the wireless network, I think I will be resorting to ethernet. I have already run Cat 5e cable through the house so no need for the homeplugs. I just need to upgrade the ethernet port on my laptop as it isnt a Gigabit port.
I think I have come to the conclusion that either wireless tech is rubbish, or that the Virgin Media Superhub has very poor wireless capabilities. Either way, I know I can get a very fast, very reliable connection over ethernet.

 

[Anonymous]

QUESTION:

Might be a very simple one to you guys

How can I make my 2.4ghz computer and laptop see and read from a 5ghz network without using that NANO Station and without a router?

Can I use a 5Ghz wifi usb adapter to solve my problem? Don't want to buy without know what's best for me.

Thanx in advance