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Forum Discussion
5GHZ on Orbi
I am considering purchasing one fo the Orbi systems to improve our WIFI throughout our house. We currently have a dual band ASUS router. I am used to having two separete networks that I can assign ...
Orbi doesn't easily allow you to have different SSIDs for 5GHz and 2.4GHz. It seems to connect to whatever bandwidth is "optimal". For example, I have seen my IPad connecting to either 5 and 2.4 GHz at different times.
It seems you want your clients to have Wi-Fi access but not interfere with your Wi-Fi. The Orbi allows you to enable a Guest Wi-Fi network which is independent from your regular network and has it's own SSID and password. We use it to give our visitors Wi-Fi access.
For your size house, the Netgear website recommends the Orbi WiFi System with a Router Base and 2 Satellites. That is what I have. I purchased mine from Costco where it is on sale right now for $380.
The problem with this 5g vs 2.4g with the Orbi is usually with the setup of a device (weather station, smart this or that, e.g.) and that device uses your Iphone for the initial setup. During that setup the Iphone MUST be on 2.4g. Orbi as described here (Mesh) will assign the Iphone to the band it believes to be the best one.
Past work arounds has been turning the 5g signal down and/or unplugging one of more of the Sats.
Once the device setup is complete, the Iphone can return to 5g if the Orbi chooses and in most cases, the device saves the setup which is helpful IF you lose power in the house.