5Ghz Migration

I recall a conversation back in 2003 regarding the saturation of the 2.4Ghz spectrum. Little did we know then this single RF band of 100Mhz would serve us so well. Improvements in throughput over the years has prolonged the need to push hard to get out of this limited space. During this time wireless devices have exploded with only limited support for the 5 Ghz band.

Soon all smart phones and tablets will have both 2.4 & 5Ghz support. The clients side is only part of the story. I was recently killing time in Bangkok Airport, unsuccessful in my attempt to use my free internet acces I took to looking at the problem.

The information desk supplies access credentials to each passanger upon request however performance is severely degraded in central areas due to completing wireless networks and wireless users.

2.4 Ghz Spectrum Data from Bangkok International Airport

By contrast the 5 Ghz spectrum data shows little use of these much wider frequency band.

Until wireless networks are capable of supporting and actively migrating 5 Ghz capable devices from the 2.4 Ghz band onto the 5 GHz problems like this will continue. The only decision for wireless network operators is when to make the move.