Home Wireless Service

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.

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.

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.

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.

"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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The number of antenna will not improve Internet-access speed, but will enhance quality of connection.

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.