Part of the IEEE 802.11 family of specifications, IEEE 802.11b is currently the most popular wireless networking technology. The equipment operates in the 2.4GHz unlicensed band and utilizes HR/DSSS (High Rate - Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum) enabling data rates of up to 11Mbps to be achieved. Equipment operating in accordance with the IEEE specifications and passing the Wi-Fi Alliances interoperability tests is able to display the Wi-Fi logo.
Several manufacturers have developed equipment which is capable of operating in accordance with both IEEE 802.11a and IEEE 802.11b specifications.