Learn About Mobile Connectivity
Mobile connectivity quick guide
What is it?
It is the act of connecting devices together to share data. Mobile connectivity is mainly done through a wireless connection. It is important to note that all connectivity speeds are theoretical and actual speeds depend on many factors. The following are the most used standards in mobiles with their capabilities:
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Wi-Fi 4
Also known as 802.11n, it supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
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- Wi-Fi 4 Speeds
- 1 Stream = 150Mbps
- 2 Stream = 300Mbps
- Ethernet 1Gbps
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Wi-Fi 5
Also known as 802.11ac, it supports 5GHz only.
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- Wi-Fi 5 Speeds
- 1 Stream = 433Mbps
- 2 Stream = 866Mbps
- Ethernet 1Gbps
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Wi-Fi 6
Also known as 802.11ax, it supports 2.4GHz and 5GHz.
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- Wi-Fi 6 Speeds
- 1 Stream = 600Mbps
- 2 Stream = 1200Mbps
- Ethernet 1Gbps
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Wi-Fi 6E
Also known as 802.11ax, it supports the new 6GHz channels.
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- Wi-Fi 6E Speeds
- 1 Stream = 600Mbps
- 2 Stream = 1200Mbps
- Ethernet 1Gbps
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Bluetooth
It is mainly used for connecting with accessories wirelessly.
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- Bluetooth Speeds
- Bluetooth 1.0 = 700Kbps
- Bluetooth 2.0 = 2Mbps
- Bluetooth 3.0 = 3Mbps
- Bluetooth 4 LE = 1Mbps
- Bluetooth 5 = 2Mbps
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Cellular
Used to connect with your cellular provider to provide long range internet connections
- Cellular Speeds
- 1G = 2.4Kbps
- 2G = 14.4 - 64Kbps
- 3G = 7.2 - 42Mbps
- 4G - LTE = 150 - 1000Mbps
- 5G = 1 - 10Gbps
How does it work?
Connectivity works by doing the following (over simplified) steps:
- Send data
- Receive data
Look for
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Wi-Fi Streams
Check both your Wi-Fi router and computer how many streams they support
Most Wi-Fi is 2 streams. However, some are 3 or 4. Let's say you have a router with 3 stream Wi-Fi. It is better to get a 3 stream Wi-Fi for your computer instead of 2, so that you take full advantage of your routers bandwidth.
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Use 5 - 6GHz Wi-Fi
Use 5GHz or 6GHz Wi-Fi when possible
5GHz and 6GHz Wi-Fi are faster and less prone to interference, but their range is less.
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Router Proximity
If you are using Wi-Fi, make sure you get as close as you can to the router
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Speed Test Cellular
If you are using cellular, make sure to test the speed in the locations you will use it in
Cellular providers always market "up to" speeds because cellular networks speeds depend on so many things. Because of that, it is recommended to test your device's connection in the intended locations. The advertised speeds can be much lower in reality.
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Cellular Coverage
Make sure your cellular connection is covered in your location
Don't get a 5G mobile is you don't have 5G coverage in your location.
Avoid
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2.4GHz
Avoid using 2.4GHz Wi-Fi
2.4GHz is slower and more prone to interference, but has longer range. So try to stay close to your router to avoid using it.
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Cellular
Avoid using cellular, use Wi-Fi instead
Wi-Fi is much more energy efficient and usually cheaper.