How many people can use a café’s Wi-Fi at once?
Most routers can handle more than enough users for the average coffee shop but the main limiting factor is the café’s incoming broadband.
Asked by: Claire Garder, Cirencester
Most routers will handle 255 simultaneous users, more than enough for the average coffee shop. The main limiting factor is the café’s incoming broadband. If it has a cable connection offering 50mbps and wishes to keep its customers happy by offering a consistent speed of at least 1mbps per user, then the coffee shop’s limit is 50 people.
Subscribe to BBC Focus magazine for fascinating new Q&As every month and follow @sciencefocusQA on Twitter for your daily dose of fun science facts.
Authors
Subscription offer
Subscribe and try your first 3 issues for just £5. After your introductory period you will pay just £22.99 every 6 issues by Direct Debit. Receive every issue delivered direct to your door with FREE UK delivery.
