Which wireless standards are brand new, in common use–or far too old? Here is an overview of standards for wifi and smart devices.
Wifi Standards
The standards for wireless communication commonly referred to as “wifi” are developed and maintained by IEEE 802, which is a group governed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. Therefore, the standards coming out of this group are referred to as 802.11, adding letters to the number as versioning.
“Wi-Fi” is essentially a brand name that denotes all products based on these standards.
From 2018, WiFi Alliance introduced new names to the public Wi-Fi standards to make the differences easier to understand for users. “Wi-Fi 4” should be understood as fourth generation Wi-Fi, while “Wi-Fi 6” is sixth generation. The higher the number, the newer the technology and higher possible speeds.
| Standard | Also known as | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 802.11be | Wi-Fi 7 | The very first products hit the market in 2023. Certification from the Wi-Fi Alliance started in January 2024, and finalization of the standard is expected within the year. The standard spans all three frequency bands. Theoretical max speed: 46.1 Gbps |
| 802.11ax | Wi-Fi 6 Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi Alliance certification started September 2019, the earliest products were available in late 2018. Standard finalized May 2021. Also referred to as “high efficiency wireless”, the goal has been quadrupling throughput compared to 802.11ac. This standard includes both 2.4, 5 and, for the first time, 6 GHz. Theoretical top speed: 9.6 Gbps Most Wi-Fi 6 products do not support 6 GHz. Wi-Fi 6E is a certification specifically for 6 GHz compatible products. You can read more about 6 GHz wifi here. Read more about what we expect from 802.11ax |
| 802.11ac | Wi-Fi 5 | In use from 2014. Focus was on increased speed, and only the 5 GHz frequency band was included. Theoretical top speed: 6.9 Gbps. The standard is backwards compatible with 802.11n See: 802.11ac Wave 2: What is new? |
| 802.11n or an | Wi-Fi 4 | In use from 2009 First version of the standard that covered both 2.4 and 5 GHz. Theoretical top speed: 600 Mbps This version also introduced MIMO, Multiple Input Multiple Output data, where multiple antennas are used to improve communication between transmitter and receiver without requiring higher bandwidth or more transmitter capacity. |
| 802.11g | In use from 2003 2.4 GHz only Theoretical top speed: 54 Mbps | |
| 802.11a and 802.11b | In use from 1999 Theoretical top speeds: 802.11a: 54 mbps (5 GHz) 802.11b: 11 mbps (2.4 GHz) |
You can read more about how wifi developed in The History of Wifi
Also:
- Be sure to check which wifi standards are supported before you buy new electronics
- Is the internet connection slow even if you have a new mobile or router that supports the latest standards?
Other Wireless Standards
These wireless data transfer standards are used over short distances, typically in smart homes and for wireless accessories.
| Standard | Description |
|---|---|
| Bluetooth | Invented in 1994, now maintained by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group. Typically used for wireless equipment such as headsets and for synchronization between devices like smart watches, phones, and compatuers. See also: 10 things that disturb and block wifi signals |
| ZigBee | Often used for smart home devices such as light switches and other systems and functions that do not require a particularly high transmission capacity. |
| Z-Wave | Often used for smart home devices such as light switches and other systems and functions that do not require a particularly high transmission capacity. |
| 802.11ah | Designed for slower speeds, longer distances, lower power consumption and smart devices / IoT. |
| 802.11ad | In use from 2016. Uses the 60 GHz band and is intended to replace cables between TVs, decoders, projectors, and so on; the goal being high speeds over short distances. Theoretical top speed: approx. 7 Gbps See also: The experts answer: New wireless standard — what can we expect from 802.11ad? |
Article by Jorunn Danielsen