Generations in Telecommunication (2G, 3G, 4G)

2G, 3G, 4G– What are They?

• Quite simply, the “G” stands for Generation, as in the next generation of wireless technologies. 
• Each generation is supposedly faster, more secure and more reliable. The reliability factor is the hardest obstacle to overcome.

Let's have a look, by comparing:

Parameters	2G	3G	4G
Image
Name	2nd Generation Mobile Network	3rd Generation Mobile Network	4th Generation Mobile Network
Introduced in year	1993	2001	2009
Location of first commercialization	Finland	Japan	South Korea
Technology	IS-95, GSM	IMT2000, WCDMA	LTE, WiMAX
Multiple Address /Access system	TDMA, CDMA	CDMA	CDMA
Switching Type	Circuit switching for Voice and Packet switching for Data	Packet switching except for Air Interface	Packet switching
Speed(Data rates)	14.4 Kbps	3.1 Mbps	100 Mbps
Special Characteristic	Digital version of 1G technology	Digital broadband, speed increments	Very high speeds, All IP
Features	Multiple users on single channel	Multimedia features, Video Call	High Speed, real time streaming
Supports	Voice and Data	Voice and Data	Voice and Data
Internet Service	Narrowband	Broadband	Ultra Broadband
Bandwidth	25 MHz	25 MHz	100 MHz
Operating Frequencies	GSM: 900MHZ, 1800MHz CDMA: 800MHz	2100 MHz	850 MHz, 1800 MHz
Band (Frequency) Type	Narrow band	Wide band	Ultra Wide Band
Carrier Frequency	200 KHz	5 MHz	15 MHz
Advantage	Multimedia features (SMS, MMS), Internet access and SIM introduced	High security, international roaming	Speed, High speed handoffs, MIMO technology, Global mobility
Disadvantages	Low network range, slow data rates	High power consumption, Low network coverage, High cost of spectrum licence	Hard to implement, complicated hardware required
Applications	Voice calls, Short messages, browsing (partial)	Video conferencing, mobile TV, GPS	High speed applications, mobile TV, Wearable devices