Also known as: WiFi, IEEE 802.11, WLAN
Wi-Fi is the family of wireless local-area networking standards that let devices join a network over radio, in the 2.4, 5, and 6 GHz bands, instead of a wired connection.1
Overview
Built on the IEEE 802.11 standards, Wi-Fi connects client devices to a wireless access point, which bridges them onto the wired LAN. Successive generations — now labelled Wi-Fi 4, 5, 6, and 7 — have raised throughput and efficiency using wider channels and smarter modulation, though real-world range and speed depend on interference and walls. Because it shares unlicensed spectrum, Wi-Fi competes with Bluetooth, microwaves, and neighbouring networks for airtime.
What it’s for
Wi-Fi trades the raw stability of Ethernet for mobility and easy deployment, making it the default for laptops, phones, and IoT devices. A GopherTrunk node can report over Wi-Fi where running a cable is impractical, but the 2.4 GHz band is busy and can desensitize a nearby receiver, so a wired link or careful placement is wiser when the antenna and the radio share a roof.