• Low power, single frequency - Distance in 10s of meters. Speed in 1-10Mbps. Susceptible to interference and eavesdropping.
• High power, single frequency - Require FCC licensing and high power transmitter. Speed in 1-10Mbps. Susceptible to interference and eavesdropping.
• Spread spectrum - It uses several frequencies at the same time. The frequency is normally 902-928MHz with some networks at 2.4GHz. The speed of 902MHz systems is between 2 and 6Mbps. If frequency-hopping is used, the speed is normally lower than 2Mbps. Not as susceptable to EMI, but still susceptable. Two types are:
1. Direct sequence modulation - The data is broken into parts and transmitted simultaneously on multiple frequencies. Decoy data may be transmitted for better security. The speed is normally 2 to 6 Mbps.
2. Frequency hopping - The transmitter and receiver change predetermined frequencies at the same time (in a synchronized manner). The speed is normally 1Gbps.
Wireless Media Comparisons
| Media | Speed | Approx Cost/station |
| 900 Mhz Spread spectrum | 2-6Mbps | $5000 |
| 6 Ghz Spread Spectrum | 2-6Mbps | $1000 |
| 23Ghz Microwave | 6Mbps at 50 kilometers | $15000 |
| Intra building Infared | 10Mbps | $400 |
| Medium distance inter building Infared | 10Mbps at 500 meters | $5000 |
| Long distance inter building Infared | 155Mbps at 500 meters, Less than 20Mbps at 1200 meters. | $8000 |
