What technology allows devices to connect wirelessly over radio waves?

The technology that allows devices to connect wirelessly over radio waves is WiFi. WiFi technology operates on radio frequency bands, typically 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz, enabling devices such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, and printers to communicate with each other and with internet access points without physical cables.

WiFi is widely used in home and public networks for its ability to provide high-speed internet access and support multiple devices simultaneously within a certain range. It employs specific protocols and standards defined by the IEEE 802.11 family, which govern how data is transmitted and received over these radio frequencies.

While Bluetooth and NFC also enable wireless communication, they operate over different protocols and have distinct uses—Bluetooth is often used for short-range connections and peripheral devices, while NFC is designed for very short-range communications, often for tasks like mobile payments. Ethernet, on the other hand, is a wired networking technology that does not utilize wireless connections.