Each new gadget that joins the network is known as a bridge. When multiple bridges connect, this creates a network of low-bandwidth coverage. As more households participate, the Sidewalk network grows stronger.
They connect with Sidewalk right away during setup—you will be asked to confirm this connection—and they are equipped to send 900 Hz radio signals that can reach up to half a mile.
All older models of the Echo, Echo Dot, and Echo Show work with Sidewalk but can only emit BLE as typical bridges. These products have a shorter range for transmission, meaning that your signals likely won’t extend too far beyond your house.
The first-generation Echo and the Echo Look are not compatible with Sidewalk.
If your household joins Sidewalk, here are some of the benefits you can expect to see:
Better Home Connection . If you have spotty Wi-Fi coverage in certain parts of the house, Sidewalk can help strengthen your home connection by drawing from signals in neighbors’ homes.
However, because Sidewalk is a shared network, you won’t know when your devices are using your Wi-Fi or your neighbors. This is all part of Sidewalk’s mesh network design.
Does Sidewalk Share My Data With Neighbors?
If participating in Sidewalk doesn’t feel right for you, you can go into your Alexa app for Android or iOS and turn off Sidewalk participation.
