Google WiFi in different countries?

[Usuga7]

Hey guys!

If I buy a set of Google WiFi in the US, would it work if I bring it with me to Colombia? Google doesn't sell it in Colombia 💔

[MichaelP]

Hello @Usuga7 

It may or may not work properly in Colombia, depending for the most part on what the regulatory rules are for the 5GHz band in that country. But, even if does work, just be aware that Google will not provide technical support for it. For that reason alone, I think I'd recommend buying something that is officially supported in Colombia.

[Usuga7]

Thank you! When you talk about 5Ghz, do you mean if we use it? 

There, my laptop and my cellphone are always connected to the 5Ghz network that my router provides. 

[MichaelP]

Hello @Usuga7 

Yes, the functionality issue will most likely be limited to clients attempting to connect through the 5GHz band. Units manufactured for use in the U.S. will be using a 5GHz channel that may not be allowed in Colombia (I haven't looked up the regulations for Colombia, so I can't say one way or the other – I just know this is a problem for places like the UK and EU). Client devices that are following the regulatory rules for Colombia may not see or connect to a system operating on that channel, and would end up connecting at only 2.4GHz, which will work, but will not perform as well as 5GHz.

But, I have to wonder why you would be thinking about adding another router+firewall+wifi system as part of a network that already has a working router+firewall+wifi – adding a Google WiFi system will create a new "inner" network that will be separate from the existing "outer" network it is connected to. 

[Usuga7]

The walls at my house are made of concrete. It is ridiculous how easily I lose WiFi walking from my living room to my bedroom. I've tried with a WiFi Extender, but I lose around 70% of the internet speed (and I only have 75MB...), and I can't move the router from its current location. I know I could try with another better extender but being here in the US and seeing how the Google WiFi works make me wonder if it's just better and easier with it.

[MichaelP]

Hello @Usuga7 

Concrete walls is going to make any WiFi solution extremely challenging, especially for 5GHz signals, which will have even more trouble penetrating concrete than 2.4GHz does. This is noteworthy for Google WiFi, since the secondary Google WiFi units communicate back to the primary using only 5GHz WiFi themselves. For concrete (or plaster, brick, stone, etc.) interior walls, the best solution is to run Ethernet from your router to at least some of the other rooms and then place simple WiFi access points in those room where they can connect back to the router via Ethernet. This way, you have good coverage in those rooms without trying to rely on WiFi to get all the way across the house.

Google WiFi can be set up this way, but other options should be available as well.

[Usuga7]

That's really good information. Thank you so much!

[Jeff]

Thanks, MichaelP for your help in answering this. Usuga7, if you need anything else, please let us know, and welcome to the community!

[Jeff]

Hey, everyone.
It looks like we got our answer here and replies have slowed down, so I'm going to go ahead and close the thread. If anyone has more to add or any more questions, please feel free to start up a new discussion.

Thanks