2401 MHz Band Overview

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

🌐 RegionAllocationPrimary UsesLicense Type
🌍 Region 1ISM applications (unlicensed)Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigbeeLicense-exempt
🌎 Region 2ISM applications (unlicensed)Remote controls, sensors, dronesLicense-exempt
🌏 Region 3ISM applications (unlicensed)Smart home, healthcare, telemetryLicense-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

TechnologyDescription
Wi-Fi (2.4 GHz)Near Channel 1, common for older routers and long-range coverage
BluetoothPart of the frequency-hopping spread spectrum pool
Zigbee / IEEE 802.15.4Channel 11 uses 2405 MHz; 2401 MHz is close to its lower edge
Proprietary RF ProtocolsUsed in industrial, drone, and telemetry systems
Wireless Game ControllersMany use fixed or agile transmissions near 2401 MHz

🔐 Licensing and Regulations

RegionRegulatory BodyStandardNotes
USFCCPart 15 Subpart CMax 1 W for spread spectrum
EUETSIEN 300 328Max 100 mW e.i.r.p.
JapanMICARIB STD-T66Similar 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

ParameterTypical Value
Center Frequency2401 MHz
ModulationDSSS, FHSS, OFDM, OQPSK
Typical Bandwidth1–22 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

BandFrequency RangeUse Case
2300–2400 MHzS-band (some regions)LTE Band 40, telemetry
2400–2483.5 MHzISM BandWi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, drones
2483.5–2500 MHzSRD / LTE uplinkLTE 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

AttributeDetails
Frequency2401 MHz
Band2.4 GHz ISM
Primary UsesWi-Fi, Bluetooth, Zigbee, IoT
LicenseExempt (Part 15 / EN 300 328)
Max Power (FCC)1 W (spread spectrum)
Typical AntennaPCB trace, dipole, monopole
Global AvailabilityUniversally available ISM band