Belkin F5D6051 What’s the difference between 802.11b, 802.11g and 802.11a?, Wireless Comparison

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. See the following chart for more detailed information.

Wireless Comparison

Wireless	802.11b	802.11g	802.11a
Technology
Speed	11Mbps	54Mbps	54Mbps
	2.4GHz —	2.4GHz -
	unlicensed band,
		unlicensed band,
	may interfere
		may interfere with
	with common		5GHz - uncrowded
Frequency		common household
	household devices:		band
	cordless phones	devices: cordless
		phones and
	and microwave
		microwave ovens
	ovens
	Compatible with	Compatible with	Incompatible with
Compatibility			802.11b or
	802.11g	802.11b
			802.11g
	Depends on	Depends on	Less interference
	interference —	interference —
Range			— range is
	typically 100–200	typically 100–200
			typically 50–100 ft.
	ft. indoors	ft. indoors
		Expected to	Slow adoption for
	Mature — widely		consumers — more
Adoption		continue to grow in
	adopted		popular in business
		popularity
			environments
Price	Inexpensive	More expensive	Most expensive

You can find technical support information at www.belkin.com or www.belkin.com/networking. If you want to contact technical support by phone, please call:

US: 877-736-5771 310-898-1100 x2263

Europe: 00 800 223 55 460 Australia: 1800 666 040

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