When you use wireless service at home or in public, you're relying on Wi-Fi standards that are shared between devices to allow them to communicate. These standards are constantly evolving. The original IEEE 802.11 protocol, also called the legacy standard, is no longer used at all. Below are the types that are still in use.

5 Wireless Service Standards 

1. 802.11a & 802.11b

Also called Wi-Fi 1 and Wi-Fi 2, these types of Wi-Fi were both released in 1999. While they helped popularize Wi-Fi, they can't keep up with today's signal speed needs. They also can't communicate with each other or with later models and are in the process of being phased out.

2. 802.11g

This is also called Wi-Fi 3 and was released in 2003. It uses the 2.4GHz frequency of Wi-Fi 1 to provide wireless service, improving interference issues from solid objects that a network encounters at 5.0GHz. However, it also achieves the 54Mbps speeds of Wi-Fi 2 and can maintain later models.

3. 802.11n

Wi-Fi 4 is a faster standard that uses the frequencies of both Wi-Fi 1 and 2. It can have speeds of up to 600Mbps divided between multiple channels of 150 Mbps apiece. It debuted in 2009 and is still supported by modern Internet providers.

4. 802.11ac

This is the current standard for Wi-Fi networks across America. Released in 2014, it transfers a staggering 1,300 Mbps, or 1.3 Gbps, of data. It also allows more channels than ever, and even multiple antennas for receiving and transmitting data on the same router.

5. 802.11ax

Starting in 2019, Wi-Fi 6 devices began to be distributed, slowly replacing older equipment. Their maximum data transfer rate is much higher than the previous generation at 10 to 12 Gbps. Wi-Fi 6 continues to increase the number of channels and subchannels handled by a single router, allowing high-speed Internet connections with multiple devices at once.

If you want to set up wireless service using the latest Wi-Fi technologies, choose Union Springs Telephone Co. Serving Bullock County, AL, since 1955, they offer quick fixes for any issue and are also committed to improving the community. You'll always speak to a live representative when you call their office at (334) 738-4400. You can also get in touch online.