802.11a is a wireless networking standard that operates in the 5 GHz frequency band. It was developed as part of the IEEE 802.11 family of standards and was ratified in 1999. This standard supports data rates up to 54 Mbps and is known for its ability to provide faster speeds and less interference compared to its predecessor, 802.11b, which operates in the 2.4 GHz band. One of the key features of 802.11a is its use of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM), which allows for more efficient data transmission. However, its higher frequency means that it has a shorter range and less ability to penetrate walls and obstacles, making it more suitable for environments where high-speed connections are needed over shorter distances.