# 802.11b or a **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [June 20, 2003, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/802-11b-or-a/183227 "2003-06-20T18:01:34Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 2\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![dauerbach](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c2a13f/32.png) [@dauerbach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dauerbach)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/802-11b-or-a/183227/1 "2003-06-20T18:01:34Z")
I understand that there is a new wireless standard available, 802.11a. Will this be backward comapatible with my current .11b cards? Does it transmit on a different frequency? Does it have superior range or simply superior bandwidth? The problem with my current program is range, not bandwidth and I am trying to decide if it is worth the money to change. ---
**Author:** ![Berkut](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/a88e57/32.png) [@Berkut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Berkut)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2003, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/802-11b-or-a/183227/2 "2003-06-20T18:16:55Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by dauerbach \* > **I understand that there is a new wireless standard available, 802.11a. Will this be backward comapatible with my current .11b cards?** Sadly, no. There are dual (both 802.11a and 802.11b) access points that will allow the use of both, but it isn’t really backwards compatible. > [@](#): > > **Does it transmit on a different frequency?** Yes. 802.11b operates at 2.4 GHz, while 802.11a operates at 5 GHz > [@](#): > > **Does it have superior range or simply superior bandwidth?** It has superior bandwidth, somewhat less range.\*\* > [@](#): > > The problem with my current program is range, not bandwidth and I am trying to decide if it is worth the money to change. \*\* I think you should look into the new 802.11g. It has the speed of 802.11a, the range of 802.11b, and is backwards compatible with 802.11b. I suspect it will become very popular.