| Designation | 802.11b |
| Prevalence: | Largest installed base |
| Operating Frequency: | 2.4 - 2.4835GHz ISM (Industrial, Scientific & Medical band) |
| Channels: | 11 channels - 3 non-overlapping, each channel 22 MHz centred at 5 MHz intervals beginning at 2.412 GHz and ending at 2.462 GHz |
| Data Rates: | 1, 2, 5.5, and 11 Mbps;
avg actual throughput of 4.5Mpbs |
| Capacity: | 32 users per access point |
| Pro & Con: | Longer range than 802.11a, but lesser network density |
| Transmission Method: | DSSS (Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) |
| Standard: | 802.11g |
| Prevalence: | Minor but expected to grow quickly |
| Frequency, Channels | As above |
| Data Rates: | Increased to ideal 54Mbps Avg actual throughput 7-16Mbps |
| Pro & Con: | As above but much higher throughput. Compatible with 802.11b installations. |
| Transmission Method: | OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) |
| Standard: | 802.11a |
| Prevalence: | Smaller installed base |
| Operating Frequency | 5GHz UNII (Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure) band |
| Channels: | 12 non-overlapping channels, each 20 MHz wide, centred at 20 MHz intervals (beginning at 5.180 GHz and ending at 5.320 GHz for the upper and middle U-NII bands, beginning at 5.745 GHz and ending at 5.805 GHz for the upper U-NII band). |
| Data Rates: | Mandatory data rates of 6, 12, and 24 Mbps and Optional data rates of 9, 18, 36, and 54 Mbps
Avg actual throughput 7-16Mbps |
| Pro & Con: | Greater user density, but shorter range and weaker penetration. Non-compatible with b & g systems |
| Capacity: | 64 users per access point, and more access points can be co-located due to greater available bandwidth |
| Transmission Method: | OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) |
| A vs B vs G: | 802.11b and 802.11g are interoperable; the ‘g' standard is a refinement of the older ‘b' standard operating on the same frequency but offering higher download speeds. 802.11a operates on a different frequency range and has the ability to support many more users in a given space. However the installed base of equipment is predominantly 802.11b with 802.11g set to overhaul it in the short to medium term |