What is a Wireless Network? Your Essential Guide

What are the different types of wireless networks?

There are a few main types of wireless network, and they’re all used for different purposes. It’s a good idea to have an overview, so when you build your own network you’ll know what you need. 

When you connect your laptop to the Wi-Fi network at home, at work or in the coffee shop, that’s a wireless network. It’s the kind we’re mainly going to be talking about here. But there are lots of other wireless networks, too.

The 4G or 5G your phone connects to is a wireless network. If you have smart home devices, they probably connect to something like a Zigbee wireless network. Even connecting your earbuds to your phone over Bluetooth is a wireless network.

It’s also worth noting that almost every network has both wired and wireless components. And most networks are connected to other networks, to make bigger, interconnected networks. A bit like a giant cobweb (which is where the World Wide Web comes from).

Let’s have a look at the main types of wireless networking you’re likely to encounter. There are a few main types of wireless network, and they’re all used for different purposes. It’s a good idea to have an overview, so when you build your own network you’ll know what you need.

It’s also worth noting that almost every network has both wired and wireless components. And most networks are connected to other networks, to make bigger, interconnected networks. A bit like a giant cobweb (which is where the World Wide Web comes from).

Let’s have a look at the main types of wireless networking you’re likely to encounter.

How does Wi-Fi work?

Most wireless networking use radio waves to transmit data. All the devices transmit and receive on a specific frequency, in a specific format. Lots of other devices use radio waves too, but on different frequencies.

Different frequencies have different properties - but we’ll talk more about that a bit later. For now, let’s have a look at how a device connects to a wireless network, and how it transmits data.

Connecting to the network

Devices connect to the network via a wireless access point. In a home network, that’s usually the wireless router. It can get a lot more complicated in larger networks, where there’ll be lots of access points.

The access point broadcasts its network, or SSID (which stands for Service Set Identifier). These are what you see when you look at the available networks on your phone.

Your device receives this broadcast and converts it into something that you can understand. When you click to join the network, your device broadcasts your credentials back to the access point. Assuming everything matches up, you can join the network and start transferring data.

How is data transferred?

When data is sent across the network - whether that’s your network password or a show on Netflix - it’s converted from a digital format to an RF modulated signal to travel across the airwaves. Then, it’s converted back to digital again.

How many devices can connect to one access point?

It depends.

Most home routers will accommodate enough devices that you don’t need to worry. They might start to struggle a little if you have several devices using lots of bandwidth - like streaming UHD video or downloading big game updates - but chances are your internet connection will start to struggle before your wireless network does.

When it comes to larger networks - like in education or business - it gets a bit more complicated.

You’ll have to deal with many more devices connecting to your network, and you won’t know exactly when or where they’ll be joining.

So, you’ll need to make sure that your network as a whole can handle enough connections. But you’ll also need to consider how many connections each access point can handle at once.

There’s no simple, one-size-fits-all solution. You’ll need to monitor and predict your network traffic, and make sure you build in more capacity than you think you’re likely to need.

2.4 GHz 

Of the three bands currently used for wireless networks, 2.4 GHz is the slowest. That’s because the frequency of the waves is the lowest of the three. The absolute best speed you can get from a 2.4 GHz connection is 600 Mbps.

It’s also the most prone to interference. It only uses a maximum of 11 channels, and lots of different devices and networks use it. That means it can get congested very easily. Things like Bluetooth, smart home devices and baby monitors all use 2.4 GHz.

Even microwaves can affect 2.4 GHz performance. All of which means you’re unlikely to see the full speed of a 2.4 GHz network. It could even be as low as 150 Mbps.

On the other hand, it also has the longest-range coverage of the three Wi-Fi bands.The exact range varies depending on the hardware and the environment it’s in, but as a rule of thumb you should get full speed at up to 20 metres, and a reliable connection as far as 45 metres away.

It’s the least affected by solid obstacles, like walls and floors. And pretty much all devices, regardless of age, support it.

5 GHz

The 5 GHz band has less range than 2.4 GHz. Again, the exact range will depend, but expect connection speed to start dropping off at around 15 metres if not sooner.

The 5 GHz signal is also more affected by solid obstacles. Things like brick or concrete walls will slow your connection right down.

But on the flip side, when it’s running at full capacity, 5 GHz Wi-Fi can deliver speeds as high as 1,300 Mbps. That’s more than double the speed of 2.4 GHz although again, connection speed will depend on many factors.  

There’s also a lot less congestion on the 5GHz band, as far fewer things use it.

So, you should get a much faster connection with a 5 GHz network. But, your devices will need to be closer to the access point, and without too many obstacles to see the full benefit.

Most modern devices will support a 5 GHz connection, although some older or lower-spec devices might not.

6 GHz

The 6 GHz band is still pretty new, and it’s very, very fast. Peak speeds are almost double that of 5 GHz, topping out at a theoretical 2,000 Mbps. It’s also the least likely to suffer from interference.

But, it has a shorter range than the 5 GHz band. You’re unlikely to see peak speeds any further than 5 - 7 metres away from the access point, and solid obstacles will slow the signal down even more significantly, too.

And, support is limited too. You’ll need devices that support either Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7, which restricts your choice. Access points and other network hardware are much more expensive, too.

Wi-Fi 1 - IEEE 802.11 (1997)

This was the first official Wi-Fi standard. It had a maximum transfer speed of around 1-2 Mbps and used microwave transmission on the 2.4 GHz band. It’s been obsolete for a long while now.

Wi-Fi 2 - IEEE 802.11b (1999)

An expansion of Wi-Fi 1, with speeds up to 11 Mbps. Started to get hardware interference from things like microwaves.

Wi-Fi 3 - IEEE 802.11g (2003)

Wi-Fi 3 still used the 2.4 GHz band, but used clever technology like OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multiple access) for speeds up to 54 Mbps.

Wi-Fi 4 - IEEE 802.11n (2009)

A major improvement. Wi-Fi 4 introduced a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna. It also used both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands for speeds up to 600 Mbps.

Wi-Fi 5 - IEEE 802.11ac (2013)

Wi-Fi 5 introduced wider 5 GHz channels, up to 8 spatial schemes and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO). Most devices around today can use Wi-Fi 5 or higher.

Wi-Fi 6 - IEEE 802.11ax (2020)

Another major leap. Wi-Fi 6 introduced the 6 GHz band alongside existing 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. Most modern devices are Wi-Fi 6 compatible.

Wi-Fi 7 - IEEE 802.11be (2023)

A super-fast evolution of Wi-Fi 6, with theoretical maximum speeds of up to 40 Gbps. Only high-end devices released in the last couple of years currently support Wi-Fi 7. 

What’s good about Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi is convenient:

One of the biggest benefits of Wi-Fi connection is that it’s convenient. You can have lots of devices connected all at the same time, without needing to worry about tripping over cables or think about what’s plugged in and what isn’t. Lots of devices - like smartphones, tablets, POS machines and scanners can’t connect through a cable.

Wi-Fi is fast:

New Wi-Fi standards and hardware have significantly increased Wi-Fi speeds, to the point where for most users it’s plenty fast enough.

Wi-Fi is flexible:

If you need to add more devices to a Wi-Fi network, it’s pretty straightforward. You don’t need to worry about adding more cabling or ethernet ports.

It lets your employees or students work flexibly, too. They’re not tied down to a cabled-in desk; they can take their laptop to a meeting room for a call, or work on the sofa if they want.

Wi-Fi is cost-effective:

Installing a good Wi-Fi network isn’t cheap. But it can be a lot more cost effective than installing a fully wired network.

What are the downsides to Wi-Fi?

Wi-Fi isn’t the fastest:

Tech improvements have made Wi-Fi a lot quicker than it once was. But, it’s still not as fast as a good cabled network.

Wi-Fi isn’t full duplex:

What this means is that Wi-Fi devices can’t send and receive data at the same time (they’re half duplex).

Wi-Fi devices have to take it in turns to talk:

An access point can’t listen to all your Wi-Fi devices at once. They have to wait their turn to send data. If you have a lot of devices, this can slow the whole network down.

Anyone can hear Wi-Fi traffic:

Even with the best security in the world, Wi-Fi traffic is still floating around in the air for anyone who’s determined enough to hear. If security needs to be super high, Wi-Fi might not be the right choice.

Wi-Fi is susceptible to interference:

Other electronics can interfere with a Wi-Fi network, and solid obstacles like walls and floors can cause problems with the signal too.

Perfect Wi-Fi coverage can be tricky:

Because of the potential for interference, and the limited range of Wi-Fi, you’ll often end up with dead spots in your coverage.

What’s good about cables?

Cables are really fast:

If you want the ultimate network speed, it has to be cabled. The fastest cabled networks are significantly quicker than the fastest Wi-Fi.

Cables are full duplex:

That means that devices that are cabled in can send and receive messages at the same time.

Cables are secure:

It’s much harder for criminals to intercept data on a cabled network.

Cables are reliable:

There’s no need to worry about whether someone will get a good signal or not. If a cable is plugged in, it’s plugged in. 

What are the downsides of cables?

Cabling is messy:

You’ll need cables and ports for every device on the network. If you have a lot of devices, that can soon add up to miles upon miles of cable and trunking. 

It’s hard to add more devices:

If you run out of network ports, you’ll need to install more hardware - like additional servers and switches - to help keep up with demand.

Not every device can use cables:

Things like smartphones, tablets, POS devices and scanners often can’t plug in to a network, and need to be mobile.

Flexible working is limited:

People will have to work close to a network point, which limits the flexibility of their working.

So which is best for me?

Most institutions and organisations will need a combined wireless and wired network. You can build the backbone of your network with cables, and make sure any security-critical or non-Wi-Fi compatible devices are cabled in.

Then, you can add wireless access points to serve all the wireless devices you’ll need to connect to your network.

At home, Wi-Fi should be fine for most usage. But, if you want to squeeze out every last bit of speed from your connection, most home routers have network cable ports so you can wire in a few devices too.