Wi-Fi speed differs from internet speed, despite often being used interchangeably. Internet speed refers to what your DSL or cable provider delivers, while Wi-Fi speed describes the communication pace between the router and one or more devices in the Wireless LAN. Ultimately, router/Wi-Fi speed and DSL plan determine actual surfing speed—where the weaker or slower link dictates maximum potential speed.
Wi-Fi speed depends on the standard used. Standards follow a consistent naming scheme: IEEE 802.11 followed by a letter. 802.11b and g operate in the 2.4 GHz range, 802.11a and the latest standard, 802.11ac, utilize the less common 5 GHz band, and 802.11n, since 2009, is the first dual-band standard operating on 2.4 and 5 GHz. Theoretical speeds for each standard are:
However, these are theoretical maximums. Practical speeds can be halved or less, yet even with the newest standard, speeds may surpass those delivered by most internet providers.
Practical Tip: To gauge your Wi-Fi speed against wired connections, conduct online speed tests multiple times throughout the day over several days, then average the results.
Operating in the 5 GHz band, 802.11ac Wi-Fi offers theoretical speeds of 1,300 Mbit/s, practically yielding around 660 Mbit/s—significantly faster than 2.4 GHz.
As the 5 GHz spectrum is less utilized than the common 2.4 GHz, it's less prone to interference but has a shorter range. Consider that for optimal performance, all components—including router, devices, and connections—must support the 5 GHz band. Often routers are dual-band devices operating on both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz, requiring adequate support from other components for high-speed internet. As with many setups, the slowest link determines maximum speed.