Summary
Highlights
Most wireless networks use the IEEE 802.11 standard. To simplify naming, 802.11ac is now Wi-Fi 5, 802.11ax is Wi-Fi 6 (with Wi-Fi 6E for extended), and 802.11be is Wi-Fi 7. Wi-Fi networks operate across 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz frequency ranges. Some access points can use multiple ranges simultaneously.
The 802.11 Committee groups frequencies into channels for easier reference, visible in device configurations. Bandwidth, the amount of spectrum used, commonly comes in 20, 40, 80, or 160 MHz. The 2.4 GHz spectrum has limited non-overlapping channels (typically three 20 MHz channels), leading to potential interference. The 5 GHz range offers more frequencies and bandwidth options, while the 6 GHz spectrum provides even more available frequencies and bandwidth for higher throughput.
Bluetooth is used for wireless headsets and speakers, operating in the 2.4 GHz range, also known as the unlicensed Industrial, Scientific, and Medical (ISM) band. These frequencies don't require special licenses. Unlike Wi-Fi, Bluetooth has a more confined range, typically up to 10 meters for consumer devices, making it suitable for personal device connections.
RFID is used in access badges, product tags, assembly lines, and pet microchips. Passive RFID tags, like a small chip or flat card with an antenna, operate without a battery until a scanner's radio frequency powers them, allowing them to transmit an ID code. Active RFID tags have batteries for longer-range scanning.
NFC, or near-field communication, builds on RFID by enabling two-way communication over short distances. Common uses include mobile payments with phones or smartwatches at point-of-sale terminals. NFC is also used to simplify the configuration of new Bluetooth or Wi-Fi devices and can act as a form of identification or access.