WiFi gets faster every year.
But the standards evolve just as quickly.
With every upgrade, it gets harder to keep track.
So, here’s a brief summary of 802.11 Wifi standards.
802.11a
→ Launched: 1999
→ Frequency: 5 GHz
→ Speed: Up to 54 Mbps
→ Range: Limited due to higher frequency
802.11a laid the groundwork for future WiFi innovations.
802.11b
→ Launched: 1999
→ Frequency: 2.4 GHz
→ Speed: Up to 11 Mbps
→ Range: Extended reach due to lower frequency
802.11b democratized WiFi access in homes and offices.
802.11g
→ Launched: 2003
→ Frequency: 2.4 GHz
→ Speed: Up to 54 Mbps
→ Range: Similar to 802.11b
802.11g boosted speeds while ensuring compatibility.
802.11n
→ Launched: 2009
→ Frequency: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
→ Speed: Up to 600 Mbps
→ Range: Enhanced with MIMO technology
802.11n revolutionized both speed and coverage.
802.11ac
→ Launched: 2013
→ Frequency: 5 GHz
→ Speed: Up to 1.3 Gbps
→ Range: Expanded, yet shorter than 2.4 GHz
802.11ac brought gigabit WiFi speeds to the forefront.
802.11ax
→ Launched: 2019
→ Frequency: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz
→ Speed: Up to 9.6 Gbps
→ Range: Optimized with OFDMA
802.11ax, or WiFi 6, elevated overall performance standards.
802.11be
→ Expected Launch: 2024
→ Frequency: 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz
→ Speed: Up to 46 Gbps
→ Range: Enhanced across all bands
802.11be, known as WiFi 7, promises unprecedented speed and efficiency.
Understanding WiFi standards empowers informed technology choices.
Each standard offers distinct advantages.
So, choose wisely based on your WiFi needs.
Thanks for reading.
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