It’s often mentioned with other standards like 802.11b/g/n and 802.11be.
802.11a and 802.11b were developed at about the same time.
802.11b enjoyed faster acceptance because its implementation was more affordable.
Getty Images
They use different frequencies, so they are incompatible.
802.11a found a niche in businesses, while the less expensive 802.11b became standard in homes.
The performance of 802.11a made it an attractive technology but achieved that performance using relatively expensive hardware.
802.11a gained some adoption in corporate connection environments where cost was less of an issue.
Meanwhile, 802.11b and early home networking exploded in popularity during the same period.
802.11b and then 802.11g (802.11b/g) networks dominated the industry within a few years.
Eventually, 802.11a Wi-Fi phased out of the market in favor of newer wireless standards.
900 MHz proved too low of a frequency to be useful for data networking, althoughcordless phonesused it widely.
802.11a transmits wireless spread spectrum radio signals in the 5.8 GHz frequency range.
An 802.11a access point transmitter covers less than one-fourth the area of a comparable 802.11b/g unit.
Brick walls and other obstructions affect 802.11a wireless networks to a greater degree than they do comparable 802.11b/g networks.
