Using the same frequency does suggest comparable distance. However, the encoding used by 802.11g (OFDM) at higher speeds is more resilient than the encoding used by 802.11b (CCK at 5-11 Mbps, Barker code at 1-2 Mbps). Thus, 802.11g performance should be better at similar distances, particularly in freespace (outdoors). I am hedging because early products are still working out bugs, particularly regarding coexistence with 802.11b (yours or someone else's in the same footprint). Furthermore, two "pre-802.11g" products may be quite different - perhaps more different than 802.11b and g products from one vendor. Here are a few examples of testing that's been done to date:
802.11g Starts Answering WLAN Range Questions (CommsDesign)
Building a Media Network (ExtremeTech)
Range and Throughput Comparison of WLAN Products (Atheros)
Review these to get a sense of what people are seeing, but don't draw any multi-vendor conclusions until the 802.11g standard is ratified and broad testing can be conducted with certified products.
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