What speed does the wireless N standard (802.11n) support?

The wireless N standard, known as 802.11n, is capable of supporting data transfer rates in the range of 300 to 600 Mbps. This increased speed is made possible through advancements in technology, including Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) and channel bonding, which allow for greater throughput compared to its predecessors.

MIMO utilizes multiple antennas at both the transmitter and receiver, enabling simultaneous data streams to be sent and received, thus enhancing performance and range. Channel bonding combines multiple channels to increase bandwidth, further contributing to the higher speed capabilities of 802.11n.

Other wireless standards have lower maximum speeds. For instance, 802.11g supports up to 54 Mbps, while 802.11b is limited to 11 Mbps, and earlier standards like 802.11a also max out at 54 Mbps. The options reflecting 1 to 2 Mbps are indicative of very old or basic standards that were not designed for the current demands of wireless networking.