Tips and tutorials
Home Wireless Service
Home Wireless Service FREQUENTLY-ASKED QUESTIONS
Network specifications
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1. What are the advantages and disadvantages when comparing wireless connectivity with a wired network?
A wired network connects devices to the Internet via LAN cables.
(✔) Advantage: A wired network provides higher bandwidth.
(✘) Disadvantage: Users are limited by length of LAN cables and location of modem.
A wireless network connects devices to the Internet via a wireless signal from a Wi-Fi router.
(✔) Advantage: Serves multiple devices accessing the Internet simultaneously without being tethered by cables.
(✘) Disadvantage: Lower bandwidth than from a wired network. -
2. What are the differences between an AC router and an N router?
An N router supports only the 2.4 GHz frequency band, while an AC router allows a device to function in the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. In addition, the AC version transmits data at faster speeds and produces a more stable signal.
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3. How the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands compare?
The main difference is transmission distance (coverage) and transmission rate (speed). The 2.4 GHz band provides longer-range coverage, but transmits data at a slower speed. The 5 GHz band provides inferior coverage when compared with the 2.4 GHz band, but transmits data at faster speeds.
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4. How can I switch between the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands?
In general, a dual-band Wi-Fi router carries two wireless network identifiers – Service Set Identifiers (SSID) – which display the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. You can switch to a different frequency band by logging onto another SSID. An increasing number of routers direct a wireless device automatically to the most appropriate band in order to provide optimum speed, without having to switch manually between the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands.
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5. What do AC1200, AC1900, AC2300, AC3200, AC5300 and other similar naming mean, when they come to routers?
"AC" refers to the latest 802.11ac networking standard, which offers fast Wi-Fi connectivity in the 5GHz frequency band. The number that comes after "AC" represents the sum of the router's 2.4GHz and 5GHz wireless network specifications. This is just a theoretical value, because actual wireless throughput is affected by a multiplicity of factors.
Taking "AC 1200" as an example, the wireless network specification for 2.4 GHz is 300 Mbps, while 5 GHz is 900 Mbps. AC 1200 represents the sum of the 2.4 GHz and 5GHz wireless network specifications.
Network speed and coverage
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1. Why doesn't actual wireless broadband speed reach the level indicated in the broadband service plan to which I subscribe?
The network specification of broadband service usually refers to the theoretical throughput, but various influencing factors, such as the router or network equipment, mean high-bandwidth specifications are sometimes not possible.
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2. Why does my home Wi-Fi signal speed fluctuate periodically?
Running bandwidth-hungry applications such as video streaming or file sharing, or making multiple connections to the same wireless network, will impact on the Wi-Fi signal and could affect Internet-access speed.
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3. My router is in the living room, just a few meters away from my bedroom, where I get no Wi-Fi signal. How can this be?
Solid objects such as walls and floors can affect transmission speed and the Wi-Fi signal. If the bedroom is blocked by a structural wall, the signal will diminish and the network could fail.
Remarks: A wireless network can be affected by devices such as microwave ovens and mobile phones. Your router should be positioned away from such devices.
How should I choose a router? And where I should place it?
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1. Will an AC router grant me faster data transmission speeds?
No. Regardless of your router specifications, wireless Internet-access speed will be limited if your connected devices support only low-speed Wi-Fi and use low bandwidth broadband service.
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2. Does a wireless router with more antennas provide faster Internet-access speeds?
The number of antenna will not improve Internet-access speed, but will enhance quality of connection.
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3. Where should I place my router to get the best connectivity?
If you want a stronger signal from your router, place it at the same level as – or a little higher than – your connected devices. You should avoid blocking the router's antenna with objects, and never stack a router, modem and set-top box because it could cause overheating.
General Product Manual
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1. King of Coverage - Google Wifi Solution
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2. Samsung SmartThings
