| Wireless Standards |
802.11b |
802.11a |
802.11g |
| Popularity |
Widely adopted. Readily available everywhere. |
New technology. |
New technology with rapid growth expected. |
| Speed |
Up to 11 Mbps |
Up to 54 Mbps |
Up to 54 Mbps |
| Relative Cost |
Inexpensive |
Relatively more expensive |
Relatively inexpensive |
| Frequency |
2.4 GHz |
5 GHz |
2.4 GHz |
| Range |
30 - 50 m |
15 -25 m |
30 - 50 m |
| Public Access |
Widely adopted. |
None |
Widely adopted |
| Compatibility |
Widest Adoption |
Incompatible with 802.11b or 802.11g |
Incompatible with 802.11a but interoperable with 802.11b |