OTHER TECH

What Is Wi-Fi? Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) is a technical standard that was developed to send data wirelessly over computer local area networks. There are three main versions of Wi-Fi, with a fourth - 802.11e - in the works that will provide both service enhancements and compatibility with previous versions.

802.11b The first version of Wi-Fi to appear, it's also the slowest, topping out at 11 Megabits-per-second (Mbps). But that's enough speed to Web surf and to shuttle most types of data between devices. 802.11b systems have a rated operating range of up to 300 feet, but since they operate in the same 2.4 gigaHertz (GHz) band used by some types of home appliances, there's a chance that turning on your microwave oven could cause your Web connection to stall.

802.11a With a data-transfer speed of up to 54 Mbps, this version is best suited for moving large amounts of data, as when streaming high-definition video between devices. Since 802.11a systems work in the relatively empty 5-GHz frequency range, they're not prone to interference. Shortcomings include a limited transmission distance, incompatibility with the many existing 802.11b products, and limited support from computer manufacturers.

802.11g The newest version of Wi-Fi can also achieve 54-Mbps speeds but, unlike 802.11a, it is compatible with 802.11b gear. Because 802.11g operates in the same 2.4-GHz range, it's also susceptible to interference from certain kinds of appliances. - A.G.