# As far as wi-fi goes. . . **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 23, 2004, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-far-as-wi-fi-goes/241636 "2004-04-23T14:37:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SlickRoenick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@SlickRoenick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlickRoenick)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 2:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-far-as-wi-fi-goes/241636/1 "2004-04-23T14:37:35Z")
Going by the documentation on the wireless NICs, the frequency is the same but there are different channels available. What exactly does that mean? And further, how much noise/interference would those pick up from say, a microwave or some other appliance? ---
**Author:** ![zoltar7](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b38774/32.png) [@zoltar7](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoltar7)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 4:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-far-as-wi-fi-goes/241636/2 "2004-04-23T16:16:13Z")
> [@SlickRoenick](#): > > Going by the documentation on the wireless NICs, the frequency is the same but there are different channels available. What exactly does that mean? And further, how much noise/interference would those pick up from say, a microwave or some other appliance? Each channel is actually a different frequency band, and the frequency bands used by adjacent channels overlap. [This tutorial](http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/972261) goes into more detail. In my network, if the microwave is on, the distance from the access point at which I can maintain a reliable connection is reduced; throughput is probably reduced as well, but I have not tested it. [This article](http://www.wi-fiplanet.com/tutorials/article.php/3116531) lists the authors experiences with microwave oven interference on different wifi channels. ---
**Author:** ![FatBaldGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ecd19e/32.png) [@FatBaldGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FatBaldGuy)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2004, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-far-as-wi-fi-goes/241636/3 "2004-04-23T16:59:49Z")
Another potential for interference is a 2.4 GHz cordless phone, since some of the channels overlap. If this is a problem you can get around it by changing the channel on your wi-fi. ---
**Author:** ![SlickRoenick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@SlickRoenick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlickRoenick)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2004, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-far-as-wi-fi-goes/241636/4 "2004-04-24T02:27:10Z")
> [@Fat Bald Guy](#): > > Another potential for interference is a 2.4 GHz cordless phone, since some of the channels overlap. If this is a problem you can get around it by changing the channel on your wi-fi. Are the channels the same with all 2.4GHz hardwares? Is channel 2.4E the same on a phone as a wi-fi NIC? And also, could a _different_ frequency cause interference? ---
**Author:** ![SlickRoenick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e68b1a/32.png) [@SlickRoenick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SlickRoenick)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2004, 11:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/as-far-as-wi-fi-goes/241636/5 "2004-04-26T11:17:00Z")
bump