What is the maximum speed of 2.4 GHz?

The 2.4 GHz band is commonly used for Wi-Fi and wireless communication, but its maximum speed depends on several factors, including the Wi-Fi standard being used, the channel width, and the overall network setup. Let’s break down the possible maximum speeds for 2.4 GHz under different Wi-Fi standards:

1. Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) – Maximum Speed: 72 Mbps to 600 Mbps

• Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n) is the earliest Wi-Fi standard that supports 2.4 GHz and was introduced in 2009.
• Maximum speed varies based on the channel width and number of spatial streams:
  • Single stream (1x1): Up to 72 Mbps
  • Four streams (4x4): Up to 600 Mbps (with a 40 MHz channel width).

Wi-Fi 4 offers decent speeds for basic activities like web browsing and light video streaming but may struggle with modern applications requiring more bandwidth.

2. Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac) – Maximum Speed: 1.3 Gbps (1300 Mbps)

• Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac), introduced in 2013, is a more advanced standard, and although it primarily uses the 5 GHz band, it still supports the 2.4 GHz band.
• On the 2.4 GHz band, Wi-Fi 5 can support speeds up to 1.3 Gbps (1300 Mbps), but this requires the use of multiple channels (up to 40 MHz) and multiple spatial streams.

However, even with Wi-Fi 5, 2.4 GHz doesn’t reach the same high speeds as the 5 GHz band, and its range is better suited for longer distances or environments with obstructions.

3. Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) – Maximum Speed: 1.2 Gbps (1200 Mbps)

• Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax), introduced in 2019, is the latest Wi-Fi standard and offers improvements in both speed and efficiency over Wi-Fi 5.
• On the 2.4 GHz band, Wi-Fi 6 can deliver a maximum theoretical speed of up to 1.2 Gbps (1200 Mbps) with 40 MHz channels and multiple spatial streams.

Wi-Fi 6 also introduces features like OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access) and MU-MIMO (Multi-User, Multiple-Input, Multiple-Output), which help improve overall network efficiency, particularly in crowded environments.

4. Factors Affecting 2.4 GHz Speed

Even with the maximum theoretical speeds above, the actual speed you experience can be influenced by several factors:

• Channel Width: The larger the channel, the higher the potential speed. For example, 40 MHz provides better speeds than 20 MHz on the 2.4 GHz band.
• Signal Interference: The 2.4 GHz band is more susceptible to interference from other devices like microwaves, Bluetooth devices, and cordless phones, which can slow down the connection.
• Distance from the Router: The farther you are from the router, the weaker the signal, which can reduce your speed. The 2.4 GHz band has better range than the 5 GHz band, but it still suffers from attenuation over distance.
• Network Congestion: In densely populated areas (e.g., apartments), many routers may be operating on the same channels, causing congestion and interference that slows down your speed.

Conclusion: What Is the Maximum Speed of 2.4 GHz?

• Wi-Fi 4 (802.11n): Up to 600 Mbps (with 4x4 MIMO and 40 MHz channels).
• Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac): Up to 1.3 Gbps (1300 Mbps) on the 2.4 GHz band.
• Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax): Up to 1.2 Gbps (1200 Mbps) on the 2.4 GHz band.

In real-world conditions, you can expect speeds that are lower than these maximums due to interference, distance, and network congestion. For better performance, especially for high-speed tasks (like gaming or HD streaming), the 5 GHz band may offer more consistent and higher speeds. However, 2.4 GHz still provides the best range, making it ideal for devices farther away from the router.