Dual Band Wifi - What It Is, How It Works, And Should You Get It?

First, the BasicsWhat is a Dual Band Wifi Router?

A dual band Wifi router is a type of Wifi router that has the capacity to transmit and receive data over both, the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands. Most modern Wifi routers have this capability, allowing them to provide Wifi connectivity to devices that use any of these frequency bands.

One of the primary reasons for businesses and even private users to choose dual band wifi routers over others is their high performance and compatibility with all kinds of devices. If your business uses several 5 GHz-capable devices, they will be able to connect at higher speeds than if you only had a 2.4 GHz router. And if your business is located in a densely-packed area where there are lots of potential sources of interference, having a 5 GHz connection can help reduce disruptions. Moreover, when you run a restaurant, you'll have customers coming in with different devices that support 3G, 4G or 5G networks, and if you want to cater to all of them, dual band wifi routers are the way to go.

How Does a Dual Band Router Work?

A dual band router provides WiFi Network with two useful band frequencies- 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. While the 2.4 GHz frequency is the older, slower frequency, the 5 GHz frequency is newer and faster. Most dual band Wifi routers offer these two separate networks you can connect to, depending on the compatibility of your laptop, mobile, and other devices.

So, how does this work? Well, when a user connects their device to the internet using a dual band router, the device will automatically catch the best available network. If both networks are available, the device will connect to the 5 GHz network because it is faster. However, if only the 2.4 GHz network is available, the device will connect to that instead. Devices that do not support 5G internet connection, do not show the 5 GHz band frequency and automatically latch onto the slower version.

Different Types of Wifi Routers for Small Businesses

If you are a Small Business looking to install a new wireless network, you may have several features and options to consider before finalizing a device. While there are wireless routers, there are also wired local area networks (LANs) that businesses use. In this section, we discuss some of the different types of wifi routers that may be of value to you-

• Edge Routers- As the name suggests, these routers work on the edges of networks and connect to other organizations and internet service providers' networks. These Wifi routers transmit data packets to other networks to keep a user's internet connectivity smooth.
  

• Virtual Routers- These are not physical devices but software solutions that use computers and servers as routers to provide internet connectivity. They do the same work as Wifi routers but with more flexibility. Small business can even expand their usage and scale as the business grows.
  

• Core Routers- These are high-performance routers that run entire networks. From heavy data transfers to transmitting heavy data packets within the network, core routers do it all.
  

What's Better A Dual Band or a Triple Band Router?

The three most common types of Wifi routers are single band, dual band, and tri-band. Each type has its own set of benefits and drawbacks that should be considered when choosing the right one for your business. Let us now explore the different Ghz Wifi bands-

Single Band- A single band router operates on the 2.4 GHz frequency band and is best suited for small businesses with fewer than 10 devices that need Wifi connectivity. Single band Wifi routers provide good coverage for smaller areas but can be overloaded if there are too many devices using the same network.

Dual Band- A dual band router operates on both, the 2.4GHz and 5GHz frequency bands and is best suited for businesses with more than 10 devices that need Wifi access. Dual band routers provide good coverage for larger areas and can handle more traffic than single band routers without suffering from performance issues.

Tri-Band- A tri-band router operates on three different frequency bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 60 GHz) and is best suited for businesses with a large number of devices that need Wifi access or businesses that require high bandwidth speeds. Tri-band routers provide excellent coverage for large areas and can handle a large amount of traffic without any performance issues. Apart from making sure your business operations run smoothly, this will also ensure excellent Customer Experience.

How to Pick the Right Wifi Router for Your Restaurant

So how do you pick the right Wifi router for your restaurant? Here are a few things to consider-

1. First, consider the size of your restaurant. If you have a small business, you may not need as powerful a router as someone who has a larger space with multiple floors, curbside tables, etc.

2. Next comes the budget for this project. There are Wifi routers available at multiple price-points, so it's important to find one that fits your budget.

3. Then consider the number of devices likely to use your Wifi connection. If you plan on using multiple devices such as POS systems, tablets, and laptops in addition to smartphones, you'll need a router that can accommodate multiple devices at once. Moreover, if you are looking to start a free Wifi service for your customers, you will have to pick one accordingly.

4. Also, understand the kind of network range you need for your business. Some Wifi routers have better range than others, so if you have a large restaurant or one with many walls, you'll need to make sure the router can reach all areas of that space.

What a Free Wifi Connection Can Do For Your Business

• If you're looking for ways to bring more people to your business, then offering free Wifi may be a good option for you. Many people these days rely on their smartphones and laptops for everything, from directions to ordering food, and office work. If they can't access the internet at your store or restaurant, they may not stick around for long.
  
• Offering free Wifi also allows you to collect data about your customers. You can see how long they stay in your store and what sections they visit most often. This information can be used to improve the layout of your store or target marketing campaigns.

Wifi Router FAQs

Q1. What is the difference between a wireless router and an access point?

A- An access point is a device that connects laptops and mobile phones to a wireless network. A wifi router is a device that manages the connection between two networks, such as the internet and a home network.

Q2. Can I use any router with my ISP?

A- In most cases, yes. However, you may need to check with your internet service provider (ISP) to be sure. Some ISPs require certain types of equipment in order to work with their service.