Wi-Fi technology is something most of us use everyday, but there is a level of confusion over the various standards, so in this post, we’ll highlight each standard and the features of each.
WiFi is an abbreviation for Wireless Fidelity, and the standards for WiFi are developed by an organization called IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers).
Every Wi-Fi network standard has several parameters:
- Speed: the data transfer rate of the network, measured in Mbps (1 megabit per second), and
- Frequency: the radio frequency that the network is carried on. The two bands of frequency for Wi-Fi networks are 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, which is the radio wave frequency that carries data.
Wi-Fi Signal Frequencies
Wi-Fi routers configured with either 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz are called ‘single-band routers’, however, many new routers support both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency; these are called dual-band routers.
2.4 GHz is a common Wi-Fi band, frequently used by other appliances, such Bluetooth devices, wireless phones, cameras, etc. Because the signal is used by so many devices, it can become overcrowded, and then speed starts to drop. This is where 5 GHz comes in. Being less commonly used by additional appliances, and less commonly used in general, there is little signal crowding and interference, so the signal remains strong.
- 2.4 GHz transmits data at a slower speed than 5 GHz, however, it does have a longer range.
- 5 GHz transmits data at a faster rate, but it has a shorter range due to the higher frequency.
| Parameter | 2.4 GHz | 5 GHz |
| Speed | Comparatively Low | High |
| Range | High | Comparatively low |
Wi-Fi Standards
Here are the different Wi-Fi standards. IEEE created the first standard in 1997, and gave it the name ‘802.11’. All of these have developed and evolved since then.
IEEE 802.11:
- Developed in 1997 as the initial WiFi standard.
- Speed is around 2 Mbps (2 megabits per second).
IEEE 802.11a:
- Developed in 1999.
- Useful for commercial and industrial purposes.
- Works on a 5 GHz frequency.
- Maximum speed of 802.11a is 54 Mbps.
- This standard was made to avoid interference with other devices that also used the 2.4 GHz frequency.
IEEE 802.11b:
- Created with 802.11a in 1999, but it uses a 2.4 GHz frequency band.
- Speed of 802.11b is 11 Mbps.
- Useful for home and domestic use.
IEEE 802.11g:
- Designed in 2003.
- This standard combines the properties of 802.11a and 802.11b.
- Uses the 2.4 GHz frequency for better coverage.
- Maximum speed is also up to 54 Mbps.
IEEE 802.11n:
- Introduced in 2009.
- Operates individually on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands.
- Data transfer rate is around 600 Mbps.
IEEE 802.11ac:
- Developed in 2013.
- 802.11ac works on the 5 GHz band.
- Maximum speed is 1.3 Gbps.
- Has less range due to the 5 GHz frequency, but most current devices now work on 802.11n and/or 802.11ac standards.
IEEE 802.11ax:
- The newest and most advanced version of Wi-Fi.
- Released in 2019.
- Operates on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz for better coverage AND better speed.
- Has a 10 Gbps maximum speed.
| Version | Introduced in | Frequency band used | Maximum speed provided |
| IEEE 802.11a | 1999 | 5 GHz | 54 Mbps |
| IEEE 802.11b | 1999 | 2.4 GHz | 11 Mbps |
| IEEE 802.11g | 2003 | 2.4 GHz | 54 Mbps |
| IEEE 802.11n | 2009 | Both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz | 600 Mbps |
| IEEE 802.11ac | 2013 | 5 GHz | 1.3 Gbps |
| IEEE 802.11ax | 2019 | Both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz | Up to 10 Gbps |
Recently, the Wi-Fi alliance has announced a new naming scheme for Wi-Fi standards. Rather than using complex names like ‘802.11b‘, WiFi standards and devices can now be describes as ‘Wi-Fi 1’, ‘WiFi2’, etc., making it easier to understand for the consumer.
New Naming Standards :
| Network | Wi-Fi Standard |
| IEEE 802.11b | Wi-Fi 1 |
| IEEE 802.11a | Wi-Fi 2 |
| IEEE 802.11g | Wi-Fi 3 |
| IEEE 802.11n | Wi-Fi 4 |
| IEEE 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 5 |
| IEEE 802.11ax | Wi-Fi 6 |
For more information on Wi-Fi systems, contact TechPoint, or see our Wi–Fi services page.