Changes

'''WiFi''' is a form of [[wireless]] [[internet]] access (Wireless Local Area Network) which complies with the [[IEEE]]'s 802.11 standards. The protocols and standards used by WiFi are governed by the Wifi Alliance, which is composed of an international network of companies.<ref>https://www.wi-fi.org/who-we-are</ref> It was originally invented by the [[Australia]]n government's research arm, the CSIRO. WiFi networks use a [[Network_topology#Star|star architecture]] to service numerous devices within proximity of the access point (or "hotspot"). Wireless access points can be teamed together to offer seamless service over a relatively large area, be switching off clients from one access point to another as is needed to maintain connectivity. This is typically done by companies with a large amount of square footage to service, such as [[hotels]], [[hospitals]], [[restaurants]], [[airports]], [[schools]] and [[universities]], and [[shopping malls]].<br />

'''WiFi''' is a form of [[wireless]] [[internet]] access (Wireless Local Area Network) which complies with the [[IEEE]]'s 802.11 standards. The protocols and standards used by WiFi are governed by the Wifi Alliance, which is composed of an international network of companies.<ref>https://www.wi-fi.org/who-we-are</ref> It was originally invented by the [[Australia]]n government's research arm, the CSIRO. WiFi networks use a [[Network_topology#Star|star architecture]] to service numerous devices within proximity of the access point (or "hotspot"). Wireless access points can be teamed together to offer seamless service over a relatively large area, be switching off clients from one access point to another as is needed to maintain connectivity. This is typically done by companies with a large amount of square footage to service, such as [[hotels]], [[hospitals]], [[restaurants]], [[airports]], [[schools]] and [[universities]], and [[shopping malls]].<br />

Access points are typically connected to some form of high-speed internet service, such as DSL/cable or fiber optic lines. These access points generally transmit their identification (called an SSID) so users can easily connect to them using any WiFi-capable device, such as a laptop, [[smartphone]], tablet, or portable gaming device.

Access points are typically connected to some form of high-speed internet service, such as DSL/cable or fiber optic lines. These access points generally transmit their identification (called an SSID) so users can easily connect to them using any WiFi-capable device, such as a laptop, [[smartphone]], tablet, or portable gaming device.

| 802.11ah (Wi-Fi HaLow) || 347 Mbps || About 900 MHz || Utilizes an extremely low-frequency to extend its range. This is used for license-exempt networks, and consumes less power than typical wireless networks.<ref name="networkworld.com">https://www.networkworld.com/article/3238664/wi-fi/80211-wi-fi-standards-and-speeds-explained.html</ref> This is intended to better support IoT and other "smart" devices due to the low power requirements.<ref>https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/wi-fi-halow</ref>

| 802.11ah (Wi-Fi HaLow) || 347 Mbps || About 900 MHz || Utilizes an extremely low-frequency to extend its range. This is used for license-exempt networks, and consumes less power than typical wireless networks.<ref name="networkworld.com">https://www.networkworld.com/article/3238664/wi-fi/80211-wi-fi-standards-and-speeds-explained.html</ref> This is intended to better support IoT and other "smart" devices due to the low power requirements.<ref>https://www.wi-fi.org/discover-wi-fi/wi-fi-halow</ref>

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| 802.11ad || 6.7Gbps || 60 GHz || Sacrifices range in favor of speed. This protocol uses a a relatively high frequency to increase throughput, but the high frequency signal rapidly decays, so clients must be in close proximity of the access point to use this.<ref name="networkworld.com">https://www.networkworld.com/article/3238664/wi-fi/80211-wi-fi-standards-and-speeds-explained.html</ref>

| 802.11ad (''802.11aj'') || 6.7Gbps || 60 GHz || Sacrifices range in favor of speed. This protocol uses a a relatively high frequency to increase throughput, but the high frequency signal rapidly decays, so clients must be in close proximity of the access point to use this.<ref name="networkworld.com">https://www.networkworld.com/article/3238664/wi-fi/80211-wi-fi-standards-and-speeds-explained.html</ref> In China, this standard essentially copied and rebranded as 802.11aj or "China Millimeter Wave."<ref name="lifewire.com">https://www.lifewire.com/wireless-standards-802-11a-802-11b-g-n-and-802-11ac-816553</ref>

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| 802.11ac ('''Wi-Fi 5''') || 3.46 Gbps || 5 GHz || Typically used by home WiFi networks, this protocol offers somewhat of a balance between speed and range.  This protocol offers Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MIMO) support, allowing for multiple antennas to send/receive in order to improve performance. This protocol is widely accepted, although some older devices may not support it.  Fortunately, this protocol supports dual-band operation (and is the first to do so). This means that many access points using 802.11ac also offer 2.4GHz service using 802.11n to serve older devices.<ref name="networkworld.com">https://www.networkworld.com/article/3238664/wi-fi/80211-wi-fi-standards-and-speeds-explained.html</ref><ref name="lifewire.com">https://www.lifewire.com/wireless-standards-802-11a-802-11b-g-n-and-802-11ac-816553</ref>

| 802.11ac ('''Wi-Fi 5''') || 3.46 Gbps || 5 GHz || Typically used by home WiFi networks, this protocol offers somewhat of a balance between speed and range.  This protocol offers Multiple Input, Multiple Output (MIMO) support, allowing for multiple antennas to send/receive in order to improve performance. This protocol is widely accepted, although some older devices may not support it.  Fortunately, this protocol supports dual-band operation (and is the first to do so). This means that many access points using 802.11ac also offer 2.4GHz service using 802.11n to serve older devices.<ref name="networkworld.com">https://www.networkworld.com/article/3238664/wi-fi/80211-wi-fi-standards-and-speeds-explained.html</ref><ref name="lifewire.com">https://www.lifewire.com/wireless-standards-802-11a-802-11b-g-n-and-802-11ac-816553</ref>