| Purpose | Frequency | Range | Speed | Devices | Compatibility | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 802.11a | Wireless Internet access | 5GHz | 25 to 75 feet indoors; range can be affected by building materials | Up to 54Mbps | Laptop computers, PDAs, cell phones | Not compatible with 802.11b, 802.11g |
| 802.11b (Wi-Fi) | Wireless Internet access | 2.4GHz | Up to 150 feet indoors; range can be affected by building materials | Up to 11 Mbps | Laptop computers, PDAs, cell phones | Other 2.4GHz devices, like cordless phones, may disrupt connection |
| 802.11g | Wireless Internet access | 2.4GHz | Up to 150 feet indoors; range can be affected by building materials | Up to 54Mbps | Laptop computers | Other 2.4GHz devices, like cordless phones, may disrupt connection |
| Bluetooth | Wirelessly connect computer peripherals, such as printers, PDAs, cameras | 2.4GHz | Up to 33 feet (10 meters); range can be affected by building materials | 720Kbps | Printers, cameras, cell phones, PDAs, other peripherals | Other 2.4GHz devices, like cordless phones, may disrupt connection |
| GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) |
Digital cellular telephone system; most-used system worldwide | 900MHz, 1,800MHz, 1,900MHz | Determined by host network | Determined by host network | GSM-enabled cell phones, PDAs, pagers | Not compatible with CDMA, TDMA networks |
| 3GSM | Third generation GSM network | 1,920-1,980MHz and 2,110-2,170MHz | Determined by host network | 2Mbps data rate | 3GSM-enabled cell phones, PDAs, pagers | Not compatible with CDMA networks |
| GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) |
An interface overlaid on existing GSM networks to allow for Internet access | Determined by host network | Determined by host network | Theoretical maximum speed of 171Kbps; reality is 40-50Kbps | GPRS-enabled cellular phones and networks | Does not support CDMA networks |
| CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) |
Digital telephone system used mainly by U.S. cellular networks | 800MHz, 900MHz, 1,700MHz, 1,800MHz, 1,900MHz | Coverage area of host network | 14.4Kbps data rate; a revised CDMA standard offers 64Kbps | Mobile phones on CDMA networks | Not compatible with GSM, TDMA networks |
| CDMA2000 | Third generation CDMA-based network | Any existing band | Coverage area of host network | 144Kbps; future speeds are estimated as high as 4.8Mbps | Mobile phones on CDMA2000 networks | Not compatible with GSM, TDMA networks |
| CDPD (Cellular Digital Packet Data) |
System used to transmit data over analog cellular networks | 800MHz, 1,900MHz | Coverage area of host network | 19.2Kbps data rate | Cellular phones, PDAs, pagers | N/A |
| TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) |
Digital cellular telephone systems | 800MHz, 1,900MHz | Coverage area of host network | 64Kbps to 120Kbps data rates | TDMA cellular phones | Not compatible with GSM, CDMA networks |