Wireless speed 2.4 GHz
The maximum speed provided by the device when communicating wirelessly in the 2.4 GHz band.
This range is used in most modern Wi-Fi standards (see above) - as one of the available or even the only one. The theoretical maximum for it is 600 Mbit. In reality, Wi-Fi at a frequency of 2.4 GHz is used by a large number of client devices, from which congestion of data transmission channels emerges. Also, the number of antennas affects the speed performance of the equipment. It is possible to achieve the speed declared in the specification only in an ideal situation. In practice, it can be noticeably smaller (often by several times), especially with an abundance of wireless technology simultaneously connected to the equipment. The maximum speed at 2.4 GHz is specified in the characteristics of specific models to understand the real capabilities of Wi-Fi equipment. As for the numbers, according to the capabilities in the 2.4 GHz band, modern equipment is conditionally divided into models with speeds
up to 500 Mbit inclusive and
over 500 Mbit.
Number of antennas
The total number of antennas (of all types — see below) provided in the design of the device.
In modern Wi-Fi equipment, this indicator can be different: in addition to the simplest devices with 1 antenna, there are models where this number is
2,
3,
4 and even
more. The point of using multiple antennas is twofold. Firstly, if there are several external devices per antenna, they have to share the bandwidth among themselves, and the actual communication speed for each subscriber drops accordingly. Secondly, such a design may also be required when communicating with one external device — to work with MU-MIMO technology (see below), which allows you to fully realize the capabilities of modern Wi-Fi standards.
Anyway, more antennas, usually, means a more advanced and functional device. On the other hand, this parameter significantly affects the cost; so specifically looking for equipment with numerous antennas makes sense mainly when the speed and stability of communication are critical.
Note that antennas intended for mobile communications may also be considered in this clause. So when choosing a model with support for mobile networks, it's ok to clarify this point.
2.4 GHz antennas
The total number of antennas in the router that are responsible for communication in the 2.4 GHz band. For details about the number of antennas, see "Total antennas", about the range — "Frequency range".
Indoors range
The range of the device's Wi-Fi module when used indoors, including through walls.
This indicator is, by definition, less than the range in open space (see below), but it is closer to reality: Wi-Fi equipment is most often used in rooms where the signal has to deal with various obstacles. However note that the figures stated in the characteristics are rather arbitrary: in fact, the communication range will directly depend on the number and type of obstacles, the congestion of the air with signals from third-party electronics, as well as the capabilities of Wi-Fi modules in devices “on the other side of the channel”. However, the difference in claimed range usually corresponds to the difference in the actual range, so it is quite possible to compare different devices by this characteristic.
Also, this information allows you to evaluate the range in open areas (if it is not claimed in the characteristics): usually, this radius is at least twice the claimed range indoors.
