US Google WiFi in Italy

[JTRoma]

Will Google WiFI purchased in USA work in Italy?

[AndrewJolley]

I would think so 🙂

[MichaelP]

Hello @JTRoma 

A Google WiFi unit manufactured for use in the US will be using a 5GHz channel that is not supported or allowed in Italy. Some devices that adhere to the local regulatory rules may not connect to the 5GHz band, but will connect to the (slower) 2.4GHz band. So it will "work" for some definitions of the word.

[AndrewJolley]

The device should still use most, if not all of the 5GHz band, as this site shows that the US channels are wider than Italy's, so the device just has more capability in Italy than in the USA.

[MichaelP]

Hello @AndrewJolley 

US Google/Nest WiFi units will be statically configured to use channel 155, which is 80MHz wide (though on a scanner, it may appear to be channel 149, since that is the 20MHz-wide channel used for control traffic to avoid interference with devices that only support narrow channels). This channel is not allowed for use in UK or Europe except at extremely low power as a "Short Range Device" (SRD at 25mW). So, compliant WiFi client devices will not connect at 5GHz when that is the channel being used (non-compliant devices may, but that's not a guarantee).

European Google/Nest WiFi units will be statically configured to use channel 42 (which will appear as channel 36, the bottom 20MHz of channel 42's 80MHz bandwidth) since that is allowed at the higher transmit power required.

I hope this helps explain my earlier answer in more detail.

[JTRoma]

Thank you, gentlemen! So in other words, I should have no problem having it work on some level although its performance might be a bit slower than in the US. Have I interpreted this correctly?

[MichaelP]

Hello @JTRoma 

Yes. You'll technically be violating regulations by using it there, but it will work as long as you don't mind some clients getting lower performance.

[AbigailF]

Hey folks, 

Thanks for lending a hand, @MichaelP and @AndrewJolley.
@JTRoma, 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 concerns or questions from here, as I would be happy to take a closer look and assist you further.

Thanks,
Abi

[AbigailF]

Hi JTRoma,

Checking back in should you still have some questions here. Let us know by replying to this thread. 

Best, 
Abi

[AbigailF]

Hello JTRoma,

I'm just checking in to make sure that you've seen our response. Please let us know if you have any other questions or concerns as I will be locking this in 24 hours.

Cheers,
Abi

[AndrewJolley]

Hello, Thank you yes, all seen!

[AbigailF]

Hey everyone,

@AndrewJolley, thanks for the update.
@JTRoma, just letting you know that we'll lock this thread shortly. You can create a new thread should you have any other questions or concerns and we'll be here to help out.

Regards,
Abi