What Is the Real Speed of an 802.11b Wi-Fi Network? GA S REGULAR Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Internet, Networking, & Security > Home Networking

What Is the Actual Speed of an 802.11b Wi-Fi Network?

The theoretical speed and actual speed are miles apart

By Bradley Mitchell Bradley Mitchell Writer Massachusetts Institute of Technology University of Illinois An MIT graduate who brings years of technical experience to articles on SEO, computers, and wireless networking. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on December 5, 2019 Tweet Share Email CASEZY / Getty Images Tweet Share Email Home Networking The Wireless Connection Routers & Firewalls Network Hubs ISP Broadband Ethernet Installing & Upgrading Wi-Fi & Wireless The theoretical peak bandwidth of an 802.11b wireless connection is 11 Mbps. This is a performance number advertised on 802.11b Wi-Fi equipment, which many people equate with the expected speed of a network. However, this level of performance is never achieved in practice due to network overhead and other factors. The typical peak throughput—sustained data rate—of an 802.11b wireless connection under ideal conditions for end-user data is roughly 4 to 5 Mbps. This level of performance assumes a wireless client in close proximity to the base station or another communication endpoint. Due to the distance-sensitive nature of Wi-Fi signaling, 802.11b throughput numbers decrease as the client moves farther away from the base station.

The Big Difference Between Real and Theoretical 802 11b Speeds

The large difference between theoretical and actual data rates for 802.11b is due primarily to protocol overhead. Wi-Fi generates a relatively large amount of traffic to maintain connections, coordinate the sending and acknowledgment of messages, and maintain other private state information. Throughput also decreases when interference in the 802.11b signal range of 2.4 ​GHz is present. Interference often causes retransmissions due to data corruption or packet loss.

What About 22 Mbps 802 11b

Some 802.11b Wi-Fi products claimed to support 22 Mbps bandwidth. Vendors created these proprietary variations of 802.11b by extending the technology by various nonstandard methods. The actual throughput of 22 Mbps 802.11b networks is not double that of an ordinary 802.11b network, although typical peak throughput may increase to roughly 6 to 7 Mbps.

The Bottom Line

While peak data rates may be achievable at times, and a few households might have upgraded to 22 Mbps gear, many 802.11b home network links typically run at 2 to 3 Mbps. This is faster than some types of home internet connections but is increasingly too slow a speed for modern wireless networking. More recent versions of this protocol—802.11g, n, and ac—achieve faster speeds. Finally, the perceived speed of a network is determined not only by available bandwidth but also by network latency. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire How Fast Is a Wi-Fi Network? Wired vs. Wireless Networking Wireless Standards Explained: 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11b/g/n Wireless FAQ - What Is 802.11? Get Better Wi-Fi: Here's The Best Place for Your Wireless Router How to Measure Your Wi-Fi Signal Strength 5 Things to Consider Before Buying a Wireless Router What Is Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax)? The Ultimate Router Buying Guide Frequently Asked Questions About LTE Network Technology What Is HSPA and HSPA+ on 3G Cellphones Expert Tested: The 9 Best Wi-Fi Range Extenders in 2022 How Fast Is a Cellphone Modem for Wireless Internet? How to Fix it When Your Wi-Fi Network Is Not Showing Up The 9 Best Mesh Wi-Fi Network Systems of 2022 Network Interface Cards Explained Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies