The number of ways to wirelessly connect an increasing number of formerly wired devices is becoming confusing. Wi-Fi, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, GPRS, IrDA and Bluetooth are just some of the terms now being used to describe different types of wireless connectivity.
here is a table to show the major differences between the main types of wireless connectivity and traditional networking.
Type |
Speed |
Range |
Comments |
IrDA |
9.6kb - 115kb (- 4Mb) |
< 6ft |
Infra-red. The two devices must have their IR ports facing each other. For simple data exchange. Uses very little power. |
Wi-Fi |
1Mb - 54Mb |
see below |
Wi-Fi refers to any of the three 802.11 types of wireless service below, and to future new subcategories yet to be released. Acts like a regular wired network in most respects. Either built in or available as add-on cards or adapters for desktop computers. |
802.11a |
1 - 54Mb |
50ft - 150ft |
Not commonly used, uses different frequency than 802.11b/g. |
802.11b |
1 - 11Mb |
100ft - 300ft |
Most common version at present. |
802.11g |
1 - 54Mb |
120ft - 350ft |
The latest version, backwardly compatible with 802.11b. |
Bluetooth |
120kb - 723kb |
30ft - 300ft |
Class 3 devices (eg in most personal computing type devices) have a short 30ft range, high powered Class 1 devices have the longer range. Either built in or available as add-on cards. |
GPRS |
< 115kb |
wherever suitable cellphone coverage |
Data service used by GSM cellphones and by some add-on cards for laptops and pda's. Speed typically about 30kb depending on how many users are sharing the service on each cell at any given time. A 2.5G service. |
2.5G |
variously up to about 128kb |
wherever suitable cellphone coverage |
Various compromise new types of 'always on' data service for cell phones that are better than nothing but not nearly as good as the 3G service that all cell phone companies are hoping to introduce when funding and technology allows. |
3G |
2Mb stationary, 384kb moving with good signal, 144kb moving fast/poor signal |
wherever suitable cellphone coverage |
A largely futuristic technology not much deployed (yet) in the US which promises amazingly fast data transfer. Sprint PCS Vision and AT&T EDGE (100-130kb) are the closest things to 3G in the US at present. |
Modem |
< 56kb |
not wireless |
The 'old fashioned' way to dial up from a computer to the internet. |
DSL/Cable |
100kb - 1.5Mb |
not wireless |
Not wireless.'Broadband' connections to the internet. |
LAN |
10Mb - 100Mb |
not wireless |
Not wireless. Common type of cabled network in most offices. |
