Report: Baby Monitors Slow Down WiFi Signals
Source: Tom's Guide US | Keywords: Wifi, Baby, monitors, 2.4GHz | Themes: The Internet
Reports are doing the rounds today claiming that baby monitors are partly responsible for slowing down WiFi in built up areas.
TechRadar UK says that a report commissioned by Ofcom has found that WiFi signals in the home can be slowed down by certain devices like baby monitors. Naturally, these rumors have stirred up quite a fuss. However, don’t panic yet. It’s not as dire a situation as it seems and no, you don’t have to choose between monitoring your baby’s mewing and zippy net speeds.
Yes, baby monitors do have an effect but so do a whole ream of other gadgets that make for less appealing news. TechRadar quotes the report as saying, "Our research suggests that this is not the case, rather the affected parties are almost certainly seeing interference from non-Wi-Fi devices such as microwave ovens, Audio Video senders, security cameras or baby monitors."
So really, if you’re that desperate for faster internet, you can try ditching your microwave, AV sender, security camera and pretty much everything else running on a frequency of 2.4 GHz.
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Another reason not to have children
Of course it does, lots of things slow down WiFi connections. Cordless phones, baby monitors, microwaves, metallic insulation, solar flares, zombies, etc., all terrible for maximum signal
WHAT?!?!?!
*Shuts down all baby monitors*
Going Wireless N (or A, for that matter) and using the 5 GHz channel would solve this problem. Of course, that requires N hardware on both ends, which could end up being pretty expensive.
Going Wireless N (or A, for that matter) and using the 5 GHz channel would solve this problem. Of course, that requires N hardware on both ends, which could end up being pretty expensive.
Unless you really need the speed for something, it wouldn't be worth it. G is fine for 99.9% of the population.
This article doesn't say how much it slows it. If one baby monitor slows it by 1 kB/s, then this is not a big deal. Obviously if it gets into the 100kB/s and up range, it starts to turn into a bigger deal.
But i will say this: I have a 2.0 MB connection. My friend has an 8.0 (same upload speeds). I don't notice a difference in internet speeds or gaming between the two. Most people won't. So baby monitors = not a big deal.
I was waiting to go 802.11 N once it was official and not just a draft... Good thing I didn't hold my breath for it. It's been what, 5 years? They need to stop arguing about whose techniques to use (aka, who wins the 'format war'), and just give it to us
Seriously, this is news? They both commonly use 2.4GHz
This one time, after 2 weeks troubleshooting a mysterious VPN disconnect issue, I determined the problem was a microwave causing interference with the wireless signal. It was happening every day, because the lady's son would get off of school, and make himself a hot pocket. Like 16 hours with level 1 before that came to me, and I wasted an additional 2 hours or so on the problem.... because none of us suspected it was the damn microwave...
@ the article...
Not if you use a 900mhz baby monitor, like I do...
I seriously doubt that baby monitors slow down WiFi signals (correct me if i'm wrong but the only way to do that is with SUPER strong gravitational fields).
But I'm willing to bet baby monitors probably create interference and slow down data transfer rates over WiFi networks, OR that they limit the usable range of the WiFi signals, but slowing the signal down? Doubtful.
Also, I agree with theredsea... 2.4GHZ devices create interference, and that's news?
Read Part-15 Class B rules of the FCC guidebook... this is not new news!
And guess what, unless you have a private spectrum reserved for your WiFi (which will NEVER happen) your going to get interference from ANYTHING sharing that spectrum.
Even devices that are not built for radio communications can cause interference.(i.e. microwaves, garage door openers, blenders, and blow dryer), if you want to completely protect your WiFi then your going to have to build a Faraday Cage or shielding around your area of protection... not exactly convenient.
Yes, baby monitors do have an effect but so do a whole ream of other gadgets that make for less appealing news.
OK even though this is a bit old news, I think it does need attention considering so many things are on the 2.4 freq. Friendly reminder that if you have a wireless home network - avoid buying any 2.4 freq electronics and/or upgrade all 2.4 freqs with 5.8 freq or down grade to 900. FYI 900 freq products battery life and range are condsiderably shorter.
Second the microwave - got a microwave between my media centre and my access point - video starts skipping when im using the microwave
There are many baby monitors that are not using 2.4GHz. I am using Mobi.
"Reports are doing the rounds today claiming that baby monitors are party responsible for slowing down WiFi in built up areas."
Grammar Nazi says: Let's party!
I seriously doubt that baby monitors slow down WiFi signals (correct me if i'm wrong but the only way to do that is with SUPER strong gravitational fields). But I'm willing to bet baby monitors probably create interference and slow down data transfer rates over WiFi networks, OR that they limit the usable range of the WiFi signals, but slowing the signal down? Doubtful.Also, I agree with theredsea... 2.4GHZ devices create interference, and that's news?
of course the waves propagating dont slow down you dork
Unless you really need the speed for something, it wouldn't be worth it. G is fine for 99.9% of the population.
At the moment, yes. But as fibre rolls out more and more you'll find 802.11g is simply inadequate. Why have a 100Mbit connection if you'll stick a last mile in that usually can't break 15Mbps?
Of course it does, lots of things slow down WiFi connections. Cordless phones, baby monitors, microwaves, metallic insulation, solar flares, zombies, etc., all terrible for maximum signal
My signal! Damn you zombies!
What research did they do? Did they read Mike Myers Network + book. This has been common knowledge for years.
What kind of research did the do? Read Mike Myers Network+ book? This is common knowledge.
What kind of research did the do? Read Mike Myers Network+ book? This is common knowledge.
I bought a baby video monitor system 3 years ago and it did more than just slow my wireless connection down, I couldn't even connect to my network. I had to choose between seeing my daughter or connecting to the internet. As a result, we rarely used the monitor. Using an inverter, we instead used the camera in our van so we could watch the kids while driving. With the IR, it worked great at night.