Microwave and Radio Waves

Microwaves are electromagnetic waves with frequencies between 300MHz (0.3GHz) and 300GHz in the electromagnetic spectrum.

Radio waves are electromagnetic waves within the frequencies 30KHz - 300GHz, and include microwaves.  Microwaves are at the higher frequency end of the radio wave band and low frequency radio waves are at the lower frequency end.

Mobile phones, phone mast antennas (base stations), DECT cordless phones, Wi-Fi, WLAN, WiMAX and Bluetooth have carrier wave frequencies within the microwave band of the electromagnetic spectrum, and are pulsed/modulated.  Most Wi-Fi computers in schools use 2.45GHz (carrier wave), the same frequency as microwave ovens.  Information about the frequencies can be found in Wi-Fi exposures and guidelines.

It is worth noting that the electromagnetic spectrum is divided into different bands based on frequency.  But the biological effects of electromagnetic radiation do not necessarily fit into these artificial divisions.