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Troubleshooting
What's the difference between 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11a?
Currently there are three levels of wireless networking standards,
which transmit data at very different maximum speeds. Each is based
on the designation 802.11(x), so named by the IEEE, the board that
is responsible for certifying networking standards. 802.11b transmits
information at 11Mbps; 802.11a and 802.11g work at 54Mbps or
125Mbps* in High-Speed Mode. See the following chart for more
detailed information.
Wireless Comparison
Wireless
802.11b
Technology
Speed
11Mbps
Common
household devices
such as cordless
phones and
Frequency
microwave ovens
may interfere with
the unlicensed
band 2.4GHz
Compatible with
Compatibility
802.11g
Depends on
interference -
Range
typically 100–200
ft. indoors
Mature - widely
Adoption
adopted
Price
Inexpensive
*When operating in High-Speed Mode, this Wi-Fi device may achieve an
actual throughput of up to or greater than 34.1 Mbps, which is the equivalent
throughput of a system following 802.11g protocol and operating at a signaling
rate of 125 Mbps. Actual throughput will vary depending on environmental,
operational and other factors.
802.11g
54Mbps
Common
household devices
such as cordless
phones and
microwave ovens
may interfere with
the unlicensed
band 2.4GHz
Compatible with
802.11b
Depends on
interference -
typically 100–200
ft. indoors
Expected to
continue to grow
in popularity
More expensive
45
45
802.11a
54Mbps
5GHz - uncrowded
band
Incompatible with
802.11b or
802.11g
Less interference -
range is
typically 50-100 feet
Slow adoption for
consumers -
more popular in
business
environments
Most expensive
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