Rear view of an athlete starting his sprint on an all-weather running track

How much, how fast, how far?

Feb. 21, 2025
Available wireless standards and formats offer a range of ranges, power levels and data-throughout speeds

Every wireless technology has its own coverage and range/distance, power requirements, speed and bandwidth/throughput for transmitting data.

  • IEEE 802.15.1 (Bluetooth) at 2.4 GHz ISM in RF band, up to 64 kB with 672 bytes on one of 79 channels, and 10 m, recently upped to 30 m.

Get your subscription to Control's tri-weekly newsletter.

  • IEEE 802.11ac (Wi-Fi) uses 2.4 ISM, 5, 6 and 60 GHz RF bands, and moves 433-6,933 Mbps at 35 m indoors, while IEEE 802.11ax sends 600-9,608 Mbps at 30 m.         
  • ANSI/ISA100.11a and IEC 62734 (ISA100) uses 2.4 GHz at 250 kbps and about 10 m.
  • IEEE 802.15.4 and IEC 62591 (WirelessHART) at 250 kbps and about 10 m, or up to 707 m with a point-to-point directional antenna.
  • Long-Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN) at 2.4 GHz worldwide and 3-27 kbps with up to 5 km or 15 km with line-of-sight.
  • Radio includes lower-frequency 900 MHz at typically 10-15 Mbps and up to about 500 m, and high-frequency 2.4 GHz at up to 450-600 Mbps and 46 m indoors and 92 m outdoors.
  • Cellular includes broadband 3G at 7.2-14 Mbps and up to 120 km unobstructed, but only 5-8 km obstructed; ultra-broadband 4G at 150 Mbps and up to about 16 km; and Internet protocol (IP)-based 5G at reportedly more than 1 Gbps and possibly up to 20 Gbps, but only at about 333 m.
About the Author

Jim Montague | Executive Editor

Jim Montague is executive editor of Control. 

Sponsored Recommendations

Make Effortless HMI and PLC Modifications from Anywhere

The tiny EZminiWiFi is a godsend for the plant maintenance engineers who need to make a minor modification to the HMI program or, for that matter, the PLC program. It's very easy...

The Benefits of Using American-Made Automation Products

Discover the benefits of American-made automation products, including stable pricing, faster delivery, and innovative features tailored to real-world applications. With superior...

50 Years of Automation Innovation and What to Expect Next

Over the past 50 years, the automation technology landscape has changed dramatically, but many of the underlying industry needs remain unchanged. To learn more about what’s changed...

Manufacturing Marvels Highlights Why EZAutomation Is a Force to Be Reckoned With

Watch EZAutomation's recent feature on the popular FOX Network series "Manufacturing Marvels" and discover what makes them a force to be reckoned with in industrial automation...