What is the primary characteristic of the 802.11ax standard?

The primary characteristic of the 802.11ax standard, also known as Wi-Fi 6, is its ability to allow for significantly increased speeds, reaching up to 9.6 Gbps. This improvement is achieved through various technologies, such as orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA), which enhances network efficiency and supports more simultaneous connections by dividing channels into smaller sub-channels.

This capacity for higher data rates makes 802.11ax particularly suited for environments with many devices, effectively improving performance in dense network scenarios, such as homes with numerous smart devices or public spaces like cafes and airports.

The other options do not accurately represent the standard. While 802.11ax supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies, it does not limit itself to just one frequency band. Operating exclusively in residential areas does not define the standard either, as it is designed for various environments, including industrial and commercial settings.