A dual band router for an ADSL

Thomas considers ADSL and wants to know whether it is worth to invest in dual band router, borrowing of a Zip drive is the headache of Steve whereas Mark wants a registry cleaner. Wants are ever multiplying, if one want is satisfied, another one creeps up.

What we are considering here is an ADSL home broadband service. The single band router that is required could be bought from Plusnet for a price of 40 Pounds or any router he likes. Suppose he goes for a dual band, would it be worth the cost that is double and will it be simpatico with the Acer TimelineX 5820T, the laptop he has?

A router that works at 2.4GHZ and 5 GHz waveband is called a dual band router. The 802.11 is a set of IEEE standards that govern wireless networking transmission methods. 802.11 a is an amendment to the IEEE 802.11 specification. Generally IEEE 802.11 is operated at 5 GHz waveband and 802.11b operated at 2.4 GHz. 802.11 equipment was checked for interoperability and was branded with Wi-Fi logo. 802.11b devices were cheap and have more range when compared to 802.11a devices and as such the sale of 802.11b devices took off. Moreover, the use of 2.4 GHz waveband practically needs no licence.

Wi-Fi had to share the waveband 2.4 GHz with microwave, remote controlled toys, Bluetooth and various other products. Though Toshiba launched its laptop Satellite 6100 which could support both 802.11a and 802.11b, it became a failure. 802.11g is the next emerging standard it worked at 2.4 GHz.

802.11n-2009 standard works at 2.4 GHz and 5GHz and the new chips can operate both bands at the same time. Operation of dual band becomes interesting since you can work your PC at 5GHz and simultaneously operate a 2.4 GHz network for a/b/g/devices. It is better to buy a hub that combines an ADSL modem with an 11 n router. In other words, purchase a dual band wireless-N Draft 2.0 ADSL 2+ router which can operate both networks simultaneously.

Acer TimelineX 5820T has an Intel 5100 Wi-Fi card. As per the Intel’s product brief, TimelineX is dual band, quad mode and 802.11a/b/g and Draft-N 2.0 complaint. Going by the specifications, it should work but as a precaution check with the ADSL router supplier before making any purchase.

Whether the buying is worth or not is another matter. Theoretically speaking the maximum speed of 802.11n is 300 Mbps. A web search will prove that the real-life results are about 60-90 Mbps at 2.4 GHz and 80-140 Mbps at 5GHz. Even if you have FTTC (Fibre to the Cabinet) connection, the chances of your getting more than 40 Mbps is remote. File download speeds in the real-life is usually between 2 Mbps to 10 Mbps. In short, dual band won’t get you any benefit with regard to internet access whereas for streaming HD video or backing up files to a wireless server it will be of use.

Suppose your 2.4 GHz network is interfered frequently as a result of microwave, Bluetooth, remote controlled toys, or Wi-Fi networks that are competing for channels, then 5 GHz band is worth trying 5GHz.