What was the previous standard before 802.11ac?

The standard preceding 802.11ac is 802.11n. Introduced in 2009, 802.11n significantly improved wireless network performance and range by introducing multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) technology, which utilizes multiple antennas for transmission and reception. This allowed for increased data throughput, reaching up to 600 Mbps under optimal conditions.

802.11n also operates on both the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency bands, providing greater flexibility and the capability to reduce interference. In contrast, 802.11ac, launched later, built on the improvements of 802.11n by further optimizing MIMO and introducing beamforming technology, which directs the wireless signal to specific devices rather than just broadcasting it in all directions, leading to even higher throughput rates and efficiency. This foundational enhancement provided by 802.11n paved the way for the advancements seen in 802.11ac, making it a crucial step in the evolution of Wi-Fi technology.