Which wireless protocol operates at 2.4 GHz and provides a maximum speed of 54 Mbps?

The correct answer is 802.11g, which operates at the 2.4 GHz frequency and offers a maximum theoretical speed of 54 Mbps. This standard was developed to improve upon the earlier 802.11b standard, which provided speeds of up to 11 Mbps.

802.11g was specifically designed to be backward compatible with 802.11b, allowing devices that used the older technology to work with newer hardware. The 54 Mbps speed of 802.11g makes it suitable for many common wireless networking tasks, such as streaming video, online gaming, and web browsing, within a range typically effective in home environments.

In contrast, 802.11n, which can also operate in the 2.4 GHz frequency, provides significantly higher maximum speeds and greater range due to its use of multiple antennas for MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) technology. Meanwhile, 802.11ac operates primarily on the 5 GHz band and offers even faster speeds, and 802.11b is limited to 11 Mbps. Thus, understanding the characteristics and specifications of these wireless protocols helps clarify why 802.11g is the appropriate choice for the specified conditions in the question.