Is the Guest Network default speed 2.4Ghz or 5.0Ghz?

[GlennM]

I want to install a blink doorbell system. The Blink doorbell will only talk to a 2.4Ghz network. My phone will happily connect to the 5.0 Ghz, so if my phone is connected to the 5.0 network, Blink will not talk to my phone to begin the setup process. The process begins with the phone talking to the doorbell to find it and make the connection, not the doorbell connecting to the network. 

I have read mixed comments on the web about the default Guest Network from the Google Nest WiFi - that it is only 2.4Ghz, or that no, it is also dual band. 

What is the default network speed of the guest network? Is this documented anywhere someone can point me to?

How can I force the phone, and the doorbell, to only use a 2.4 Ghz network from the nest wifi network?

Note - I do not yet have the Blink doorbell, trying to figure it out ahead of time. Otherwise, I could just try it.

[MichaelP]

Hello @GlennM 

The Guest network definitely supports both the 2.4GHz and 5GHz bands. I don't think this is documented anywhere, but I have verified it numerous times (most recently just a moment ago).

It is true that some (poorly designed) 2.4GHz-only devices have trouble during setup if the phone being used to set them up isn't also on the 2.4GHz band. But, many 2.4GHz-only devices don't have any issues with this at all since they use a different process. I did a little digging, and from what I can tell, Blink products should be fine. During setup, the camera should create a temporary 2.4GHz network that your phone will connect to directly. Then you can use the setup app to select your Google/Nest WiFi system and get the Blink system connected to it. Once it's connected, it will disable that temporary 2.4GHz network and your phone should switch back to Google/Nest WiFi automatically.

This is similar to how TP-Link Kasa devices are set up, and I have a bunch of them on my Google WiFi system.

[GlennM]

Thanks Michael. This is helpful. I'm still a little nervous to complete the purchase as I would prefer it "just work" without worry. Have to check out the return policy to make sure I could return it if it does not. 

I assume by your answer that this means the Google Nest wifi Guest network also is defaulted to 5ghz as well? I had read in one place the guest network defaulted, or only used, the 2.4 ghz. I would have preferred that was true as at least I would be sure this would work. 

I don't understand in todays day and time why new products are still being sold that *only* work on the 2.4 ghz spectrum. It is such a huge problem. 

[MichaelP · Accepted solution]

These days, I always make sure I can return anything expensive, so that would be wise in any case.

The word "defaulted" is probably not the right way to think about this. The Google/Nest WiFi network supports both bands. So, it advertises (beacons) on both bands. Clients can decide which band to connect to (if they support both bands), and when to switch between bands (again, if they support both). Clients that only support one of those bands (e.g., 2.4GHz) will only see the 2.4GHz beacons, and will only try to connect to that band (and won't try to switch between the bands). To them, it looks like a 2.4GHz-only system. Google/Nest WiFi won't try to switch those devices (it really doesn't do that even for dual-band devices, either, though explaining what it actually does in that case is a lot more involved).

Unfortunately, there's a lot of misinformation out there about 2.4GHz and the Guest network, so I try to correct it everywhere I can. It supports both bands in exactly the same way the main network does.

As for 2.4GHz-only devices today, I am surprised to see any new cameras being built with that band only. But, for things that have very low speed requirements (like smart plugs, thermostats, appliances, etc.), I can understand why they'd simplify the design. What I don't like is seeing devices that can't be easily set up on a dual-band system, since that is increasingly common and isn't going away.

[DjWhitelion]

Alot of smart home devices use 2.5ghz. Even new today. So being able to make a wifi name at 2.5ghz should be something you can do. Because if your phone is at the 5ghz band. It will see the smart home device. But. It wont allow the device to log on to the network because the phone is on 5ghz and the device then tries to logon to the band your phone is on. And you just get an error message that says "your not on 2.5ghz".

The workaround is to rename the main network. Logon with a second phone or PC. Share internet from that device with the main name and password of the network you usually use but as 2.5ghz. Log on with your phone to the "dummy nettwork". Register the smart home device. Then change back the name on google wifi. The device will then log in to nest with 2.5ghz. 

This is something you should not have to do really. As you should have a toggle to change from 5ghz to 2.5ghz if you want to. Or make a separate network. 

Not having this function on a new device that acts like a router today is just lazy if you ask me. 

[GlennM]

Thanks again for your very helpful answer. Much appreciated. 

My problem here is trying to find a camera that does not require a monthly storage plan to record and store video. The Blink is one that has a add on module to allow video storage. I have found plenty of other video doorbells that use the 5ghz spectrum, but they all seem to require a monthly plan in order to keep videos. It seems the ones that allow for local storage, cheap out on the technology.  Such a scam industry. lol

Thank again very much for your help.

[EdwardT]

Hi folks,

@MichaelP and DjWhitelion, thanks for the help!

@GlennM, how's it going with your Google Wifi, still need our help?

Thanks,

Edward

[EdwardT]

Hi GlennM, 

I wanted to follow up and see if you are still in need of any help? Please let me know if you are still having any trouble from here, as I would be happy to take a closer look and assist you further.

Thanks,

Edward

[GlennM]

Hi Edward

In short - all set for now. Truth be told, it would be much better/easier if Google recognized there are devices out there that only use the 2.4 ghz spectrum, *and* do not play well with auto connect to the 2.4 ghz network of Google. Google might be automatic, but many devices are too dumb to tell it to lower the speed. 

It would be, I would think, rather simple for Google to allow a forced setting of a network. Basically, manually turn off the 5.0 and only offer the 2.4. I mean, how hard would that really be?

[Jeff]

Hey everyone,

It looks like we've slowed down here. We'll be closing up the thread unless anyone else has any input or needs anything else. If so, just let me know and we can keep this open a bit longer.

Thanks,
Jeff

[GlennM]

Replied above. Not really sure a reply is needed though. Just sharing my thoughts and always open to hearing others. But the immediate "need" is done for now. At this point, I just don't have the confidence to purchase the Blink doorbell and risk it not working. So I wait for a more clear solution (doorbell) that works with both networks, or a better WiFi hub than Google that allows manually setting the network speed. 

[EdwardT]

Hi GlennM,

Thanks for the response. We appreciate people who are keen on sharing with us their thoughts. We're always looking for ways to improve and we'll take this as feedback. I will be locking this thread now. Please feel free to create a new thread should you have some more questions or concerns in the near future and we'll be more than glad to help.

Thanks,

Edward