Wi-Fi standards

802.11a - has a much faster transfer rate of up to 54 Mbps however it operates at the much higher 5GHz radio frequency, has a smaller operating range (typically 25 to 75 feet), and is not compatible with 802.11b making it a poor choice for most users.

802.11b - transfers data at rates up to 11 Mbps and operates at the same frequency as cordless phones and microwaves (2.4GHz) with an operating range of roughly 100 to 300 feet. Of the three standards this is the most popular.

802.11g - is perhaps the best solution for today's market. It offers both the speed of up to 54 Mbps and operates at 2.4GHz to ensure backward compatibility with the slower more popular 802.11b standard. An 802.11b device can easily connect to an 802.11g network and vice versa.

802.11i -