The 2401 MHz frequency lies within the globally recognized 2.4 GHz ISM (Industrial, Scientific, and Medical) band , making it a cornerstone of modern wireless communication , IoT , and consumer electronics . From Wi-Fi to Zigbee and Bluetooth, this frequency powers a vast ecosystem of unlicensed low-power technologies .
📶 Frequency Range and Band Placement
Center Frequency : 2401 MHz
Band : 2.4 GHz ISM
Frequency Range : 2400–2483.5 MHz
ITU Allocation : Globally harmonized ISM band
Wavelength : ~12.5 cm
2401 MHz typically represents Channel 1 in many Zigbee and 802.15.4-based devices and is close to the lower edge of the 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi range.
🌍 Regional Use Summary
🌐 Region Allocation Primary Uses License Type 🌍 Region 1 ISM applications (unlicensed) Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee License-exempt 🌎 Region 2 ISM applications (unlicensed) Remote controls, sensors, drones License-exempt 🌏 Region 3 ISM applications (unlicensed) Smart home, healthcare, telemetry License-exempt
All ITU regions support license-free use , provided devices meet local emission and power constraints (e.g., ETSI in Europe, FCC in the US).
📱 Common Applications of 2401 MHz
Technology Description Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz) Near Channel 1, common for older routers and long-range coverage Bluetooth Part of the frequency-hopping spread spectrum pool Zigbee / IEEE 802.15.4 Channel 11 uses 2405 MHz; 2401 MHz is close to its lower edge Proprietary RF Protocols Used in industrial, drone, and telemetry systems Wireless Game Controllers Many use fixed or agile transmissions near 2401 MHz
🔐 Licensing and Regulations
Region Regulatory Body Standard Notes US FCC Part 15 Subpart C Max 1 W for spread spectrum EU ETSI EN 300 328 Max 100 mW e.i.r.p. Japan MIC ARIB STD-T66 Similar to FCC rules
Devices must:
Use spread spectrum or low-duty-cycle narrowband transmissions
Adhere to maximum power and bandwidth limits
Accept interference and not cause harmful interference
⚙️ Technical Specs at a Glance
Parameter Typical Value Center Frequency 2401 MHz Modulation DSSS, FHSS, OFDM, OQPSK Typical Bandwidth 1–22 MHz (depending on protocol) Max EIRP (FCC) 1 W (Wi-Fi); 10 mW (Bluetooth Class 2) Antenna Length ~3.1 cm (quarter-wave monopole)
🛰️ Related Spectrum and Adjacent Bands
Band Frequency Range Use Case 2300–2400 MHz S-band (some regions) LTE Band 40, telemetry 2400–2483.5 MHz ISM Band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, drones 2483.5–2500 MHz SRD / LTE uplink LTE Band 41 edge, sometimes restricted
🔁 Interference Considerations
2.4 GHz band is crowded , especially in urban areas
Coexistence managed via:
Frequency hopping (Bluetooth)
Adaptive channel selection (Wi-Fi)
Low duty cycles (Zigbee)
Overlap with microwave ovens (~2450 MHz) and other ISM noise sources
Interference mitigation through robust modulation and error correction
🧠 Summary Table
Attribute Details Frequency 2401 MHz Band 2.4 GHz ISM Primary Uses Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, IoT License Exempt (Part 15 / EN 300 328) Max Power (FCC) 1 W (spread spectrum) Typical Antenna PCB trace, dipole, monopole Global Availability Universally available ISM band