Below is table of the maximum theoretical speeds for the common wireless networks.
Network speeds are usually measure in Mbps (Megabits per second) / millions of bits per second) or Gbps (Gigabits per second)
| Technology | Range | Data Transfer Rate | Typical Use Cases |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethernet | Wired | 10 Mbps - 100 Gbps | Wired connections in homes, offices, data centers. |
| Wi-Fi | Wireless (Wi-Fi 6) | Up to 9.6 Gbps | Wireless internet access in homes, offices, public spaces. |
| Cellular (4G LTE) | Wireless | 5 Mbps - 100+ Mbps | Mobile data on smartphones, tablets, IoT devices. |
| Cellular (5G) | Wireless | 100 Mbps - 1+ Gbps | Next-gen mobile data, enhanced IoT, fixed wireless access. |
| Fiber-Optic | Wired | 100 Mbps - 1+ Gbps | High-speed internet connections, long-distance data transfer. |
| Bluetooth | Short range (up to 100 meters) | Up to 3 Mbps | Wireless peripherals (headsets, keyboards, mice), file transfer between devices, IoT devices in close proximity. |
| Infrared (IR) | Very short range (typically < 1 meter) | Up to 4 Mbps | Older technology used for data transfer between devices like infrared-equipped phones, PDAs, or remote controls in close proximity. |
Which network speed is typically faster?
What is throughput?
What is the most common unit of measurement for internet speeds?
Upload speed refers to the rate at which data can be sent from a user's device (e.g., computer, smartphone) to a remote server or another device on the internet.
Upload speed is essential for tasks such as sending emails, uploading files to cloud storage, video conferencing, online gaming, and broadcasting live video.
Download speed is the rate at which data can be received by a user's device from a remote server or another device on the internet.
Download speed is crucial for activities like web browsing, streaming videos and music, downloading files, and accessing web-based applications.
Latency, also known as ping or network latency, is the time it takes for data to travel from the source to the destination and back. It is typically measured in milliseconds (ms).
Low latency is essential for real-time applications such as online gaming, video conferencing, and voice-over-IP (VoIP) calls. High latency can result in delays and lag in these applications.
What is latency?
How can packet loss affect internet browsing?
Bandwidth is the maximum amount of data that can be transmitted over a network or communication channel in a given period, usually measured in bits per second (bps) or its multiples (Kbps, Mbps, Gbps).
Bandwidth is a measure of the capacity of a network or connection. Higher bandwidth allows for more data to be transmitted simultaneously, which can improve both upload and download speeds.
Which factor does not affect latency?