What Is Dual-Band Wireless Networking?

In wireless networking, dual-band equipment is capable of transmitting in one of two standard frequency ranges. Modern Wi-Fi home networks feature dual-band broadband routers that support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz channels.

Benefits of Dual-Band Wireless Networking

By supplying separate wireless interfaces for each band, dual-band 802.11n and 802.11ac routers provide maximum flexibility when setting up a home network. Some home devices require the legacy compatibility and greater signal reach that 2.4 GHz offers, while others may require the additional network bandwidth that 5 GHz offers.

Dual-band routers provide connections designed for the needs of each. Many Wi-Fi home networks suffer from wireless interference arising from the prevalence of 2.4 GHz consumer gadgets, like cordless phones, which use Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum modulation. This is where the signal jumps all around the 2.4 GHz spectrum rather than sitting on one channel.

Microwave ovens may also interfere with wireless signals due to the radio signals they 'leak' during operation. The ability to use 5 GHz on a router avoids these problems because the technology supports 23 non-overlapping channels.​

Dual-band routers also incorporate Multiple-In Multiple-Out radio configurations. The combination of several radios on one band with dual-band support provides higher performance for home networking than single-band routers offer.

History of Dual-Band Wireless Routers

First-generation home network routers produced during the late 1990s and early 2000s contained a single 802.11b Wi-Fi radio operating on the 2.4 GHz band. At the same time, a significant number of business networks supported 802.11a (5 GHz) devices.

Starting with 802.11n, Wi-Fi standards included simultaneous dual-band 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz support as a standard feature. This inclusion means that nearly every modern router is considered a dual-band router.

Dual-Band Wireless Routers

For homes that have many competing wireless devices, Google Wifi is considered one of the top router choices. Its system consists of up to four satellites, called Google Wifi points, each of which covers 1,500 square feet for a total of up to 6,000 square feet of blanketed coverage. It uses beam-forming technology, which automatically routes devices to the strongest signal.

Dual-Band Wi-Fi Adapters

Dual-band Wi-Fi network adapters contain both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz wireless radios, similar to dual-band routers.

In the early days of Wi-Fi, some laptop Wi-Fi adapters supported both 802.11a and 802.11b/g radios so that a person could connect their computer to business networks during the workday and home networks on nights and weekends. Newer 802.11n and 802.11ac adapters can also be configured to use either band, but not both at the same time.

Dual-Band Phones

Similar to dual-band wireless network equipment, some cellphones use two or more bands for cellular communications separate from Wi-Fi. Dual-band phones were created to support 3G GPRS or EDGE data services on 0.85 GHz, 0.9 GHz, or 1.9 GHz radio frequencies.

Phones sometimes support tri-band or quad-band cellular transmission frequency ranges to maximize compatibility with different kinds of phone networks, which is helpful while roaming or traveling. Cell modems switch between different bands but do not support simultaneous dual-band connections.