Wireless network standards - what do they all mean?
Home and small office wireless devices are all based on variations of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 wireless standard. The 802.11b standard is the oldest and most widely adopted standard. It uses the 2.4GHz frequency band, providing data rates up to 11Mbps (megabits per second) at ranges of 100-150 feet indoors. The 802.11a standard is a bit more recent, using the 5GHz band to achieve data rates up to 54Mbps at ranges of only 25-75 feet. The 802.11g standard is the newest IEEE wireless standard. Like 802.11a, 802.11g can achieve data rates up to 54Mbps, but 802.11g uses the more common 2.4GHz band and offers ranges from 100-150 feet.
Keep in mind that data rates can vary, depending on real-life radio transmission factors such as range and interference.As you move the wireless device farther from its access point, radio signals weaken and data rates decrease. Interference also plays a part in this situation, especially on the popular 2.4 GHz band shared with cordless phones, microwaves and other commercial electronics devices.