Forbes.com: The Near Future Of Wi-Fi

If you're familiar with Wi-Fi, then you're probably familiar with two variants that the IEEE calls 802.11a and 802.11g. Under both standards, data can move at up to 54 megabits per second. With 802.11a, the wireless technology currently favored by Sony (nyse: SNE - news - people ) for transmitting video and music on wireless home networks, the signal spectrum used is in the 5 gigahertz range.

Meanwhile, 802.11g is as fast as 802.11a but uses the same 2.4-GHz frequency range as current Wi-Fi. Apple Computer (nasdaq: AAPL - news - people ) earlier this year jumped on the 802.11g bandwagon for its Airport Extreme line of wireless networking gear--even though the IEEE hasn't completely finished cooking the standard yet. Other products using the technology are sure to follow by the end of this year.