2.4 vs 5 Ghz

[soxer123]

I've just switched from the 125 Mb package to the 250. Checking if it was activated, I noticed doing a speed test I was still around 125 Mb/s. Then I saw I was connected to 2.4 Ghz wi fi.  I switched to % Ghz and saw the speed bowling along at 240 plus.

This morning I've done another speed test and the same happened, the laptop was connected to 2.4 Ghz.  Is there something I should do to set my laptop to the 5 Ghz band?

Guidance appreciated.

Keith

[jbrennand · Accepted solution]

See this old post...

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Go into the Hub’s settings. Type in  http://192.168.0.1  into your web browser’s url box and login with settings password on the Hub's base sticker (or your own if you changed it). Then in Advanced>wireless signal >smart wifi - tick the disable “channel optimisation” box or the“Smart Wifi” box and save settings.  May be different pathways and wording on the 3 Hub types This (message 2) is for a Hub3… https://community.virginmedia.com/t5/Networking-and-WiFi/Hub-3-Wi-Fi-constantly-dropping/td-p/539137...

Then, go to advanced>wireless signal>security, rename the 2.4 & 5 GHz network ssid's.  Just type over to change 'em to whatever you like and something that will differentiate them (e.g - Soxer_2 & Soxer_5) Try to avoid spaces and periods in the SSID names as they can cause issues with certain devices. Use the same password for simplicity,  Then, apply settings and restart the Hub.  Your 2 wifi network bands will now be clearly separated - and you can then select the band you want each device to connect to… individually from the "available networks" list on each of your devices. 

Note all your wifi devices will need re-connecting to the new SSID's and passwords.
All things being equal, 5 GHz is always better/faster and subject to less congestion/interference (and is better for iDevice speeds than the 2.4 one - although the 2.4 one has the better "range" and will be needed when the 5 GHz drops out of range and some older/cheaper/dumber or “specialised” devices can only use this one. 

[Tudor]

If you have both bands set up on a device it’s up to the device to choose which band to use. Some device manufacturers are better than others at choosing the most efficient band. Remember 2.4, slower, but further distance, 5 faster, but less distance. 

[sayekm]

On my sons laptop there is an option in setting of network proprties to set both or just 5Ghz.

But as already mentioned 2.4Ghz will travel further distance. I have M125 and router is set to auto so choses the strongest signal...but very stable connections as I move my work laptop around the house. Never had issues with Teams meetings.

But I use my own router with better antenna and processor...not the junk supplied by Virgin

[soxer123]

Thank you for the information. I looked in my network settings and 2.4 was ticked to connect automatically. I untickedit and ticked 5Ghz and solved that problem. I am now posting a new query. Thank you for the replied everyone.  Keith.