5GHz

5 GHz refers to a radio frequency band centered around 5.0 GHz, with practical allocations typically spanning roughly 5.0 to 5.8 GHz. Exact boundaries and permitted uses vary by regulatory region, but the band is widely allocated for unlicensed wireless communication in many parts of the world.

In consumer and enterprise networking, the 5 GHz band is best known for Wi-Fi, supporting standards such as IEEE 802.11a, 802.11ac, and 802.11ax. It also enables fixed wireless links and some specialized industrial or municipal radio services. Because parts of the spectrum are shared with radar and other services, many regions impose regulatory requirements such as DFS (dynamic frequency selection) and power limits to minimize interference with radar systems.

The band generally offers higher data throughput than the 2.4 GHz band due to wider channel options (commonly 20, 40, 80, and up to 160 MHz channels) and typically less congestion. This makes 5 GHz attractive for high-speed local networks and environments with many wireless devices. However, signals in the 5 GHz range experience greater attenuation by walls and longer distances, resulting in shorter effective range and coverage compared with 2.4 GHz, especially in challenging layouts or obstructed environments.

Many modern devices and routers are dual-band, operating on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz simultaneously, enabling smarter distribution of devices between bands. Regulatory constraints and device capabilities influence which 5 GHz channels are available in a given region.