Local Area Networks (LANs) generally have a higher bandwidth compared to Wide Area Networks (WANs). LAN operates within a limited geographical area, such as a home, office, or building, and typically uses high-speed Ethernet cables or wireless technologies like Wi-Fi. The localized nature of LAN allows for faster data transfer rates, ranging from 100 Mbps to multiple Gbps.
On the other hand, WAN spans larger distances and connects multiple LANs or networks across cities, countries, or continents. WAN utilizes various transmission technologies, such as leased lines, fiber optics, or satellite links. While WANs provide connectivity over long distances, they may have lower bandwidth compared to LANs due to factors like distance, infrastructure limitations, and shared network resources.