Which wireless standard operates at 5 GHz and offers higher speeds?

The 802.11ac wireless standard operates specifically at the 5 GHz frequency, offering significantly higher speeds compared to earlier standards. It utilizes advanced technologies such as Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) and wider channel bandwidths (up to 80 MHz or even 160 MHz) to achieve faster data transfer rates. 802.11ac can support data rates exceeding 1 Gbps under optimal conditions, making it suitable for high-bandwidth applications such as HD video streaming and online gaming.

In contrast, the other standards mentioned, such as 802.11b and 802.11g, primarily operate at the 2.4 GHz frequency and offer lower maximum speed limits: 802.11b offers up to 11 Mbps and 802.11g up to 54 Mbps. While 802.11n supports both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies, it does not reach the same level of performance and speed as 802.11ac, making it less efficient for high-speed communications in a 5 GHz environment. Therefore, 802.11ac stands out for its ability to provide both the high speed and the 5 GHz band operation that the question specifies.