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{{Lead too long|date=July 2024}}
A wide variety of different wireless data technologies exist, some in direct competition with one another, others designed for specific applications. [[Wireless]] technologies can be evaluated by a variety of different metrics of which some are described in this entry.

Standards can be grouped as follows in increasing range order:

[[Personal area network]] (PAN) systems are intended for short range communication between devices typically controlled by a single person. Some examples include wireless headsets for mobile phones or wireless heart rate sensors communicating with a wrist watch. Some of these technologies include standards such as [[ANT (network)|ANT]] [[Ultra-wideband|UWB]], [[Bluetooth]], [[Zigbee]], and [[Wireless USB]].

[[Wireless Sensor Networks]] (WSN / WSAN) are, generically, networks of low-power, low-cost devices that interconnect wirelessly to collect, exchange, and sometimes act-on data collected from their physical environments - "sensor networks". Nodes typically connect in a star or mesh topology. While most individual nodes in a WSAN are expected to have limited range ([[Bluetooth]], Zigbee, [[6LoWPAN]], etc.), particular nodes may be capable of more expansive communications ([[Wi-Fi]], [[Cellular networks]], etc.) and any individual WSAN can span a wide geographical range. An example of a WSAN would be a collection of sensors arranged throughout an agricultural facility to monitor soil moisture levels, report the data back to a computer in the main office for analysis and trend modeling, and maybe turn on automatic watering spigots if the level is too low.

For wider area communications, [[wireless local area network]] (WLAN) is used. WLANs are often known by their commercial product name [[Wi-Fi]]. These systems are used to provide wireless access to other systems on the local network such as other computers, shared printers, and other such devices or even the internet. Typically a WLAN offers much better speeds and delays within the local network than an average consumer's [[Internet access]]. Older systems that provide WLAN functionality include [[DECT]] and [[HIPERLAN]]. These however are no longer in widespread use. One typical characteristic of WLANs is that they are mostly very local, without the capability of seamless movement from one network to another.

[[Cellular networks]] or [[Wide area network|WAN]] are designed for citywide/national/global coverage areas and seamless mobility from one access point (often defined as a [[base station]]) to another allowing seamless coverage for very wide areas. Cellular network technologies are often split into 2nd generation [[2G]], [[3G]] and [[4G]] networks. Originally 2G networks were voice centric or even voice only digital cellular systems (as opposed to the analog 1G networks). Typical 2G standards include [[GSM]] and [[IS-95]] with extensions via [[GPRS]], [[EDGE (telecommunication)|EDGE]] and [[CDMA2000#1X|1xRTT]], providing Internet access to users of originally voice centric 2G networks. Both [[EDGE (telecommunication)|EDGE]] and [[1xRTT]] are 3G standards, as defined by the [[IMT-2000|ITU]], but are usually marketed as 2.9G due to their comparatively low speeds and high delays when compared to true 3G technologies.

True 3G systems such as [[EV-DO]], [[W-CDMA]] (including [[High Speed Packet Access|HSPA]] and [[HSPA+]]) provide combined [[Circuit switching|circuit switched]] and [[Packet switching|packet switched]] data and voice services from the outset, usually at far better data rates than 2G networks with their extensions. All of these services can be used to provide combined mobile voice access and Internet access at remote locations.

4G networks provide even higher bitrates and many architectural improvements, which are not necessarily visible to the consumer. The current 4G systems that are deployed widely are [[WIMAX]] and [[LTE (telecommunication)|LTE]]. The two are pure packet based networks without traditional voice circuit capabilities. These networks provide voice services via [[Voice over IP|VoIP]] or [[Voice over LTE|VoLTE]].

Some systems are designed for point-to-point line-of-sight communications, once two such nodes get too far apart they can no longer communicate. Other systems are designed to form a [[wireless mesh network]] using one of a variety of [[list of ad hoc routing protocols|routing protocols]]. In a mesh network, when nodes get too far apart to communicate directly, they can still communicate indirectly through intermediate nodes.

== Standards ==

The following standards are included in this comparison.

=== Wireless wide area network (WWAN) ===
* [[Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution|EDGE]]
* [[Evolution-Data Optimized|EV-DO]] x1 Rev 0, Rev A, Rev B and x3 standards.
* [[Flash-OFDM]]: FLASH (Fast Low-latency Access with Seamless Handoff)-OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing)
* [[GPRS]]
* [[High Speed Packet Access|HSPA]] D and U standards.
* [[Lorawan]]
* [[3GPP Long Term Evolution|LTE]]
* [[CDMA2000|RTT]]
* [[UMTS]] over [[W-CDMA]]
* [[UMTS-TDD]]
* [[WiMAX]]: 802.16 standard
*[[Narrowband IoT]]
*[[5G NR|NR]]

=== [https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_wireless_network_protocols#/editor/3 Wireless] local area network (WLAN) ===
* [[Wi-Fi]]: 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax standards. 580- 771-8271

=== Wireless personal area network (WPAN) and most wireless sensor actor networks (WSAN) ===
* [[6LoWPAN]]
* [[Bluetooth]] V4.0 with standard protocol and with low energy protocol
* [[IEEE 802.15.4-2006]] (low-level protocol definitions corresponding to the [[OSI model]] physical and link layers. Zigbee, 6LoWPAN, etc. build upward in the protocol stack and correspond to the network and transport layers.)
* [[Thread (network protocol)]]
* [[Ultra-wideband|UWB]]
* [[Wireless USB]]
* [[Zigbee]]
* [[ANT+]]
* [[MiraOS]] a wireless mesh network from LumenRadio

== Overview ==
{{Comparison of mobile internet standards}}

== Peak bit rate and throughput ==
When discussing throughput, there is often a distinction between the peak data rate of the physical layer, the theoretical maximum data throughput and typical throughput.

The peak bit rate of the standard is the [[net bit rate]] provided by the physical layer in the fastest transmission mode (using the fastest modulation scheme and error code), excluding forward error correction coding and other physical layer overhead.

The theoretical [[maximum throughput]] for end user is clearly lower than the peak data rate due to higher layer overheads. Even this is never possible to achieve unless the test is done under perfect laboratory conditions.

The typical throughput is what users have experienced most of the time when well within the usable range to the base station. The typical throughput is hard to measure, and depends on many protocol issues such as transmission schemes (slower schemes are used at longer distance from the access point due to better redundancy), packet retransmissions and packet size. The typical [[throughput]] is often even lower because of other traffic sharing the same network or cell, interference or even the fixed line capacity from the base station onwards being limited.

Note that these figures cannot be used to predict the performance of any given standard in any given environment, but rather as benchmarks against which actual experience might be compared.

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+Bit rate (Mbit/s)
! Standard !! Peak Downlink !! Peak Uplink !! Approximate Maximum Range in Meters !! Typical Downlink throughput
|-
| [[CDMA2000#1X|CDMA2000 1xRTT]] || 0.3072 || 0.1536 || 29000 || 0.125{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}
|-
| [[Evolution-Data Optimized#EV-DO Rel. 0 (TIA-856 Release 0)|CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev. 0]] || 2.4580 || 0.1536 || 29000 || 1{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}}
|-
| [[Evolution-Data Optimized#EV-DO Rev. A (TIA-856 Revision A)|CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev. A]] || 3.1 || 1.8 || 29000 || 2{{Citation needed|date=September 2012}}
|-
| [[Evolution-Data Optimized#EV-DO Rev. B (TIA-856 Revision B)|CDMA2000 EV-DO Rev. B]] || 4.9 || 1.8 || 29000 ||
|-
| [[GSM]] [[General Packet Radio Service|GPRS]] Class 10 || 0.0856 || 0.0428 || 26000 || 0.014{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}}
|-
| GSM [[Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution|EDGE]] type 2 || 0.4736 || 0.4736 || 26000 || 0.034{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}}
|-
| GSM [[Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution#Evolved EDGE|Evolved EDGE]] || 1.8944 || 0.9472 || 26000 ||
|-
| [[Universal Mobile Telecommunications System|UMTS]] [[W-CDMA]] R99 || 0.3840 || 0.3840 || 29000 || 0.195{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}}
|-
| UMTS W-CDMA [[High-Speed Downlink Packet Access|HSDPA]] || 14.4 || 0.3840 || 200000<ref name=autogenerated1b>"[http://www.physorg.com/news90664325.html Ericsson, Telstra Achieve World's First 200km Cell Range Mobile Broadband Coverage]". www.physorg.com.</ref> || 2{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}}
|-
| UMTS W-CDMA [[High-Speed Uplink Packet Access|HSUPA]] || 14.4 || 5.76 || 200000<ref name=autogenerated1b /> ||
|-
| UMTS W-CDMA [[Evolved HSPA|HSPA+]] || 168 || 22 || 200000<ref name=autogenerated1b /> ||
|-
| [[UMTS-TDD]] || 16<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ipwireless.com/technology/ |title=IPWireless |access-date=2006-12-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070101002338/http://www.ipwireless.com/technology/ |archive-date=2007-01-01 |url-status=dead }}</ref> || 16 || ||
|-
| [[LTE (telecommunication)|LTE]] || 326.4 || 86.4 || ||
|-
| [[iBurst]]: [[iBurst]] || 24 || 8 || 12000 || >2
|-
| [[Flash-OFDM]]: [[Flash-OFDM]] || 5.3 || 1.8 || 29000 || avg 2.5{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}}
|-
| [[WiMAX]]: [[WiMAX#The IEEE 802.16 Standard|802.16e]] || 70 || 70 || 6400 || >10{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}}
|-
| [[Wi-Fi|WiFi]]: [[IEEE 802.11a-1999|802.11a]] || 54 || 54 || 30 || 20
|-
| WiFi: [[IEEE 802.11b-1999|802.11b]] || 11 || 11 || 30 || 5{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}}
|-
| WiFi: [[IEEE 802.11g-2003|802.11g]] || 54 || 54 || 30 || 20{{Citation needed|date=May 2011}}
|-
| WiFi: [[IEEE 802.11n|802.11n]] || 600 || 600 || 50 ||
|-
| WiFi: [[IEEE 802.11ac|802.11ac]] || 1,300 || 1,300 ||50
|
|-
| WiFi: [[IEEE 802.11ad|802.11ad]] || 7,000 || 7,000 || 3.3 ||
|-
| WiFi: [[IEEE 802.11ax|802.11ax]] || 10,000 || 10,000 || ||
|}

* '''Downlink''' is the throughput from the base station to the user handset or computer.
* '''Uplink''' is the throughput from the user handset or computer to the base station.
* '''Range''' is the maximum range possible to receive data at 25% of the typical rate.

== Typical spectral use ==

===Frequency===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:95%; text-align:center;"
|+Allocated frequencies
! Standard !! Frequencies !! Spectrum Type
|-
! UMTS FDD
| 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 2.0, 1.9/2.1, 2.1, and 1.7/2.1 GHz || Licensed
|-
! UMTS-TDD
| 450, 850 MHz, 1.9, 2, 2.5, and 3.5 GHz<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ipwireless.com/technology/frequency.html |title=UMTS-TDD developer's frequency notes |access-date=2006-12-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061127195101/http://www.ipwireless.com/technology/frequency.html |archive-date=2006-11-27 |url-status=dead }}</ref><br>2 GHz || Licensed (Cellular, 3G TDD, BRS/IMT-ext, FWA)<br>Unlicensed (see note)
|-
! CDMA2000 (inc. EV-DO, 1xRTT)
| 450, 850, 900 MHz 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, and 2.1 GHz  || Licensed (Cellular/PCS/3G/AWS)
|-
! EDGE/GPRS
| 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1.8 GHz, and 1.9 GHz || Licensed (Cellular/PCS/PCN)
|-
! iBurst
| 1.8, 1.9, and 2.1 GHz || Licensed
|-
! Flash-OFDM
| 450 and 870 MHz || Licensed
|-
! Bluetooth/BLE
| 2.4 GHz || Unlicensed [[ISM band|ISM]]
|-
! Low Rate WPAN (802.15.4)
| 868 MHz, 915 MHz, 2.4 GHz || Unlicensed [[ISM band|ISM]]
|-
! 802.11
| 2.4, 3.6, 4.9, 5.0, 5.2, 5.6, 5.8, 5.9 and 60 GHz<ref>[[IEEE 802.11]], [[List of WLAN channels]]</ref> || Unlicensed [[ISM band|ISM]]
|-
! WiMax (802.16e)
| 2.3, 2.5, 3.5, 3.7, and 5.8 GHz || Licensed
|-
! Wireless USB, UWB
| 3.1 to 10.6 GHz || Unlicensed Ultrawideband
|-
! [https://virtual-extension.com/products/technology/ VEmesh]*
| 868 MHz, 915 MHz, and 953 MHz || Unlicensed [[ISM band|ISM]]
|-
! EnOcean*
| 868.3 MHz || Unlicensed [[ISM band|ISM]]
|}

== See also ==
* [[Comparison of mobile phone standards]]
* [[Computer standards]]
* [[List of device bandwidths]]
* [[OFDM#OFDM system comparison table|OFDM system comparison table]]
* [[Spectral efficiency comparison table]]
* [[Near-field communication|NFC (Near field communication)]]
* [[Radio-frequency identification|RFID (Radio-frequency identification)]]
* [[Consumer IR|CIR (Consumer Infrared)]]

== References ==
<references/>

== External links ==
* [http://www.wimaxforum.org/news/downloads/Mobile_WiMAX_Part1_Overview_and_Performance.pdf Mobile WiMAX - Part I: A Technical Overview and Performance Evaluation]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060805193922/http://www.wimaxforum.org/news/downloads/Mobile_WiMAX_Part2_Comparative_Analysis.pdf Mobile WiMAX – Part II: A Comparative Analysis]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070203051933/http://www.btdesigner.com/pdfs/KenNoblittComparison.pdf A Comparison of Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120509053028/http://www.tetcos.com/lan_trainer.html WLAN Trainer at different speeds]
* [http://www.informit.com/articles/article.aspx?p=19825 IEEE 802.11 Standard Overview]

{{Mobile telecommunications standards}}
{{Telecommunications}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Comparison Of wireless data standards}}
[[Category:Computing comparisons]]
[[Category:Lists of standards]]
[[Category:Wireless networking]]
[[Category:Telecommunications standards]]

List of wireless network protocols - Revision history

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