5GHz Wifi [Was: Re: GPON vs. GEPON]

[Reuben Farrelly via NANOG <nanog () nanog org>]

On 9/01/2016 2:48 PM, Baldur Norddahl wrote:
> But 5 GHz usage is still low because people have a ton of devices that are
> 2,4 GHz only. Even brand new laptops are sold without a 5 GHz radio. People
> don't know that they have to check - it is oh but it has wifi and it is
> brand new, therefore it must have support for the new standard you are
> talking about! Sometimes we have to send someone out to the customer to
> demonstrate how crappy his new purchase is.

Unfortunately almost all of the Internet of Things (IoT) client devices 
I have come across or purchased lately are 2.4GHz only:

- Belkin Wemo
- Airconsole
- Sense Sleep Tracker
- LIFX
- Ninjasphere (now defunct, but this was interesting because these 
appear to have a 5GHz radio in them but don't have the antenna to 
support it)

The explanation I have been given a few times is that the antenna 
requirements for 5GHz are just too difficult to achieve in what are 
often small and low powered devices.

We're mostly there with phones and PCs though.

Reuben