WiFi Interference: Is 802.11a and better than b/g ?

Question

Is there any reaason why 802.11a should be any more immune to interference than 802.11b/g is ?

Do 5Ghz cordless phones share spectrum with 802.11a ?

I've got a user in a 100 year-old building in Manhattan (plaster walls and 16 ft ceilings) who wants me to put in a 20 desk network. Installing copper in this office would be a huge job.

The office is a couple thousand sq ft, divided with sheetrock walls, which are OK for WiFi signal strength. A test of 802.11b WiFi finds 8 other networks (!), some of them with strong signals. Did I say all the offices have large windows overlooking other nearby office buildings ?

This guy depends on his computer network to meet hard business deadlines and I won't put in a b/g WiFi network and have it screw up on him. An "a" network would at least be oblivious to the b/g networks in the area.

Comments ?

Airhead · Accepted Answer

Yes, because there are less "a" networks to interfere. BG has to compete with other wireless lans, microwave ovens, baby monitors and

2.4 phones. For co-location there are also 8 non-overlapping channels available instead of 3. Note: any narrowband or all-band interference could affect either one if in their frequency.

No, 802.11a uses the UNII lower and middle band indoors (5.15 to

5.25ghz and 5.25 to 5.35ghz). (reserved for wireless lans) 5 ghz phones use the ISM band of 5.725 to 5.875 or somewhere in that area.

networks

I agree, sounds like the best solution for the circumstances

RusH · Answer

a has DFS in specs, thats the only reason besides frequencygo for a,but dont forget to VPN every single bit on his networkPozdrawiam.

Hansang Bae · Answer

Just keep in mind that "A" also deteriorates considerably with distance.   Something to keep in mind when you're planning it out.  I like my 1200 with 802.11A module.

Simon Leinen · Answer

And the band usable for 802.11a provides more channels, thus morenon-overlapping channels.

WiFi Interference: Is 802.11a and better than b/g ?

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