Okay, let’s just assume I’m completely stupid, help me out. I downloaded NetSpot and it looks like none of them are free. I honestly can’t tell what I’m supposed to do with this. How do you even choose the best Wi-Fi channel when everything is already crowded?
Dude, unless you live in the middle of nowhere, that is the reality now. Everybody around you has Wi-Fi. The 2.4 GHz band is so crowded that it’s practically public domain.
Yes, the 2.4 GHz band is currently extremely congested. It’s used not only by basic Wi-Fi networks, but also by the entire IoT ecosystem, legacy client devices, and home appliances. It’s precisely because of the severe interference in this spectrum that the 5 GHz and 6 GHz standards have become the only choice for bandwidth- and latency-critical services. By the way, what’s the picture in the 5 GHz band according to NetSpot’s radio intelligence data?
@MacStuckInTheMud hmm, I looked, and indeed it’s almost empty compared to 2.4GHz.
Well… there’s your answer. Since your 5 GHz band is relatively free, there’s no point in trying to squeeze the maximum out of the congested 2.4 GHz band. It’s time to upgrade your wireless router. And when purchasing new equipment, don’t limit yourself to a standard dual-band router. Choose future-proof models with 6 GHz support (Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7) to avoid running out of clear channels again in a couple of years.
@MacStuckInTheMud Yeah, fair enough. Thanks — I’ll start thinking about an upgrade my AP.