802.11 is a set of standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) for wireless local area networks (WLANs). These standards define how devices communicate over radio waves, enabling wireless internet access in homes, offices, and public spaces. The most common versions of 802.11 include 802.11n, 802.11ac, and 802.11ax, each offering improvements in speed, range, and capacity. These standards are widely used in devices like routers, laptops, and smartphones, allowing users to connect to the internet without physical cables.