Selecting frequency C3700 Modem/router

[rebeccar]

Wireless printer, TV and Thermostat all operate on 2.4 Ghz only in my home. MacBook Pro, iPhones and iPad can connect at either 2.4 or 5 Ghz. How to determine the best frequency for these mobile devices? Someone said I should keep all devices on the same frequency for best performance. Is this true, or is it best to divide the devices between frequencies? Are there other factors I should consider (walls, distance, etc.)?

Thanks for your response.

[VE6CGX · Accepted solution]

Selecting channel is from the router config page when you log into the router. If all devices are working well then don't worry for the time being. 2.4GHz band is more crowded so devices on that band could have issues some times but 5GHz band is relatively quiet so as much you can use 5GHz band. Only difference between two bands is 5GHz band has typically less range due to higher frequency it uses.

[VE6CGX]

Channel selection I think. Wireless spectrum is divided into number of channels.

On 5GHz band one of higher channel is prefered. On 2.4GHz you select most 

interferenc free channel after surveying your neighborhood WiFi signals.

[rebeccar]

Thanks for your prompt reply. I am not able to select channels on any of my mobile devices, just 2.4 or 5 GHz. Maybe the channel is somehow set by the router? After reading online a bit about choosing channels, I ran a wireless diagnostics report (build into the MacBook) - a series of property lists, log files, console docs, TextEdit Docs, etc. Not only don't I understand the results, I don't even know which file to open.

I can't tell if my question's been answered. Should I set my mobile devices to 2.4 or 5 Ghz, or is the answer not that simple?

[VE6CGX · Accepted solution]

Selecting channel is from the router config page when you log into the router. If all devices are working well then don't worry for the time being. 2.4GHz band is more crowded so devices on that band could have issues some times but 5GHz band is relatively quiet so as much you can use 5GHz band. Only difference between two bands is 5GHz band has typically less range due to higher frequency it uses.