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Purpose |
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Frequency |
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Range |
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Speed |
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Devices |
|
Compatibility |
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|
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802.11a |
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Wireless Internet access |
|
5GHz |
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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 |
|
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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 |
|
|---|
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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 |
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