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org/wiki/4G

2G (or 2-G) is short for second-generation wireless telephone technology. Second generation 2G cellular telecom networks were commercially launched on the GSM standard in Finland by Radiolinja (now part of Elisa Oyj) in 1991. Three primary benefits of 2G networks over their predecessors were that phone conversations were digitally encrypted; 2G systems were significantly more efficient on the spectrum allowing for far greater mobile phone penetration levels; and 2G introduced data services for mobile, starting with SMS text messages.
The analog mobile phones that first came on the market in the 1980s are now considered first-generation. Second-generation, or 2G, mobile phones became available in the 1990s when the market for mobile phones exploded. 3G mobile phone networks were meant to solve many of the problems associated with 2G, and to create many value-added services for mobile phone users. The future of mobile phone networks, the yet-to-exist 4G and 5G networks, are already being discussed and debated.

Speed

The main difference between the 2G and 3G spectrum is the 3G network is significantly faster. The 2G spectrum uses airwaves to transmit information, much like the firstgeneration networks, at about nine kilobytes per second. 3G networks are capable of two megabytes per second, more than 200 times faster than 2G networks. Even when they are operating slowly, 3G networks are at least ten times faster than 2G. This increase in speed is achieved by sending information as packets and utilizing much higher bandwidth than 2G can handle.

Connectivity

When 2G networks were set up, mobile phones were still used almost exclusively for phone conversations, with a few other options thrown in. 3G networks allow this notion to be abandoned by allowing constant connectivity. Instead of connecting to the network for a phone call and then disconnecting again, 3G phones are always connected. This has allowed for many value-added services, such as email clients and GPS, to be incorporated into mobile phones.

Regional Compatibility

One of the biggest complaints about the 2G network was phones could work in Europe or North America, but not both. Different implementations of 2G (CDMA, TDMA, GSM and so forth) were never integrated, and phone manufacturers had to choose which implementation their phones would work on. 3G was supposed to change all that, but there are still two different standards bodies: 3GPP for Europe and Asia and 3GPP2 for North America. Some mobile phones are able to operate in both regions.

Technical Compatibility

3G mobile phones are backwards-compatible, running without a problem on 2G networks. Of course, being restricted to the low speeds available on a 2G network means many of the applications 3G users are used to will crawl along. 2G networks that have implemented packet switching are called 2.5G networks. Both 2G and 3G phones can use these networks, but the speed is closer to 2G than 3G.
The terms "2G" and "3G" refer to the second- and third-generation cellular network technologies used by most of the world's mobile devices to provide voice and data access. The major difference is that 3G offers faster data connection speeds, which means that 3G-based mobile devices can download Web pages, and stream music and video, faster than those based on 2G technology. As of 2011, mobile operators and manufacturers were developing the even faster 4G (fourth-generation) technology, but this wasn't expected to be fully operational until 2012.

Background

The first generation cellular technology (1G), which was introduced in the late 1970s, used analog radio signals to transmit voice. Some 1G cellphones could provide dialup Internet access to a laptop by connecting to the laptop's modem. In the 1990s, 2G digital voice cellular systems replaced the analog systems. The Global System for Mobile Communications and Code Division Multiple Access were the two major 2G cellular technologies.

Speed Limitations

Data network technologies were developed for 2G phones, including General Packet Radio Service and Enhanced Data rates for Global Evolution for GSM carriers, and Interim Standard-95 for CDMA carriers. These technologies were called "2.5G" because they did not allow for fast data rates. In fact, GRPS typically offers speeds of up to 114 kilobytes per second, while EDGE can achieve up to 384 Kbps. These are similar connection speeds to dial-up Internet services.

3G Development

Launched in the early 20th century, 3G networks promised faster Internet connection speeds, similar to broadband, to support mobile multimedia applications. The major 3G technologies include Wideband CDMA and CDMA2000 for CDMA carriers, and High Speed Packet Access for GSM carriers.

Demand for Bandwidth

These new 3G data networking technologies were deployed at a time when worldwide demand for mobile bandwidth was increasing dramatically. Smartphones such as the iPhone, BlackBerry and handsets running the Android platform run data-hungry applications, requiring continuous access to corporate and personal email, browsing the Web, using mobile gaming applications, making video calls, and downloading photos and videos.

Speed Differences

Many CDMA-based carriers, including Verizon Wireless, use the Evolution Data Optimized technology for data access, which offers typical download speeds of between 600 Kbps and 1.4 megabytes per second. GSM carriers, such as AT&T, use the HSPA system which can deliver average download speeds of about 812 Kbps, according to PC World. These 3G connection speeds are about five times faster than those of 2.5G network technologies, and put them close to the typical speed of a cable modem. Technology continues to create innovative products which are smaller, lighter and faster. Cell phones are no exception. The jump from analog to digital networks revolutionized the features available for mobile phones. The transition from 2G to 3G promises to be just as revolutionary, making features available to users in lightning fast speeds.

2G Networks
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As of mid 2009, the majority GPS (Global System for Mobile or Groupe Speciale Mobile) and CDMA mobile telephones in the United States operated on the 2G network. 2G is an acronym which means "second generation." 2G phones use a digital signal transmitted from radio transmission towers, as opposed to 1G mobile phones, which used analog signals. Although 2G phones have greater data transmission capabilities than 1G phones, the capacity is limited.

3G Networks
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Among the newest network technology for mobile phones is the 3G network. 3G is an acronym which stands for "third generation." 3G telephones work on both the GSM and CDMA networks. 3G technology features very fast transmission of the mobile signal, which vastly expands the data transmission capabilities of phones which run on 3G networks.

3G Network Advantages
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The lightning-fast data transmission capabilities of 3G opens up a world of features for cell phones which operate on 3G networks. This includes streaming video and much faster uploads and downloads. Other features vary by the particular model of the mobile phone. For instance, the 3G iPhone features GPS (Global Positioning System) capabililities, where the 2G model does not.

3G Network Disadvantages
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The major disadvantage for 3G network plans centers around pricing. Generally, 3G network price points are much higher than 2G networks with comparable features. In addition, the allowed minutes are often set at a much lower threshold than for 2G plans of a similar price range.

Considerations
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3G network phones have been in wide use in Japan for years. The introduction of 3G phones in the United States means that is may now be possible to travel to Japan and use your regular mobile phone, rather than renting a 3G phone. Many network providers are concentrating their services on 3G networks to the detriment of 2G service. AT&T confirmed

in 2009 that it had switched from the 850 MHz band to using the weaker 1900 MHz band in some areas after the introduction of phones for its 3G network.

2.

High Bandwidth

High bandwiththe measure of transmission capacityis one of the selling points of 3G. This allows you quick and easy access to all of your favorite online multimedia and Internet tools, just like you were at home on a computer. You can pay bills, book dinner reservations, update social networking pages and check emails, all on-the-go. While the maximum bandwidth for a stationary 3G deviceaccording to Silicon Pressis 2.05 megabits (Mbps), when you are moving slowly (such as walking), this drops to 384 kilobits (Kbps). When you and your device are moving at high speeds (such as in a car), the maximum bandwidth drops to 128 Kbps. However, Silicon Press notes that this is still 10 times faster than the maximum bandwidth of moving 2G devices.

Always-Online Devices

Another advantage of 3G technology is that it can utilize packet-based Internet protocol connectivity. This means your mobile device will always be online and ready for Internet access. However, you will not actually pay for the connection until you start sending or receiving data packets, such as sending an email or looking at a webpage. Some 3G devices are also designed to automatically pick up the closest, free-to-access Wi-Fi signals, in which case, you wont have to pay anything for Internet.

Power Requirements

In addition to being more expensive, 3G handsets also require more power than most 2G models. According to Silicon Press, this extra power requirement can translate to larger batteries, shortage usage periods between recharging and more bulky handsets overall.

2G

The first cellphones used what is referred to as a 1G network, which gave way to an upgrade to 2G technology by 1991. The term 2G means second generation, and 2G networks were digital, which was an improvement over the 1G analog networks. The 2G network had a maximum transfer speed of 14.4KB per second, which was similar to fax machines of that era. 2G technology lasted until around 2000, when a slightly improved version, known as 2.5G, hit the market.

3G

Like its predecessors 2G and 2.5G, 3G technology offered digital service. This technology was introduced in 2004 as an upgrade over 2.5G, and is still available as of 2011. The data throughput on a 3G network is up to 3.1MB per second, giving users the ability to play streaming audio and video files on their smartphones. The 3G network is often known as the Edge network; if you have a 3G network BlackBerry, you will see the term Edge on the top corner of the screen.

4G

After 3G improved to 3.5G, the 4G network became common in cellphones. This fourthgeneration technology is the norm as of 2011 and offers a data throughput of 3 to 5MB per second and potentially as high as 300 to 500Mbps. This network is so fast that if your phone allows it, you can stream high-definition video with ease.

Other

Though 2G technology is obsolete as of 2011, both 3G and 4G networks are still readily available. New smartphones, such as the iPhone and BlackBerry Torch, use a 4G network because they're seen as multimedia centers rather than just cellphones. Though the monthly charges to subscribe to each network vary greatly depending on your cellphone provider and data plan, 4G users can expect to pay more for the service than 3G users.

Instructions
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1
Compare 3G to 1G and note that 3G, unlike 1G, is digital--and the implications that has. First-generation cellular technology used an analog signal, which is not very different from the signal picked up by your AM and FM radio receiver. Just as analog waves take up more energetic spaces than the ones and zeros which comprise digital transmission, analog equipment is bulkier and weighs more than its digital counterparts.

2
Contrast the main features of 2G--which also is digital--with 3G. While the early introduction of more streamlined digital technology afforded networks increased capacity-and, for the first time, the ability to send text messages--3G technology transmits this digital data faster, which allows mobile phone users to access the Internet, messaging services and phone services simultaneously.

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Consider the key difference between 3G technology and 4G technology. While scientists developed 3G technology with the voice calls as their primary concern, and with Internet and messaging capabilities as afterthoughts, 4G technology focuses on the Internet first and foremost. In other words, 3G is a "voice" technology, while 4G is a "data" technology. India [edit]
In India, BSNL has launched India's first 4G service 4G WIMAX Broadband Services In Kochi Kerala on 4 June 2011. Bharti Airtel launched India's first 4G service, using TD-LTE technology, in Kolkata on April 10, [73] 2012. Fourteen months prior to the official launch in Kolkata, a group consisting of China Mobile, Bharti Airtel and SoftBank Mobile came together, called Global TD-LTE Initiative (GTI) in Barcelona, Spain and they signed the commitment towards TD-LTE standards for the Asian region. It must be noted that Airtel's [74] 4G network does not support mainstream 4G phones such as Apple iPhone 5, Samsung Galaxy S III, Nokia Lumia 920 and others. Telecom operator Videcon Mobile Services said it has signed an in-principle agreement with Nokia Siemens Network for 4G services roll out across six telecom circles by end of this year. RIL subsidiary Reliance Jio Infocomm finalised key pacts for roll-out of 4G services. This is a set of standards used for mobile devices and mobile telecommunication services and networks that comply with the International Mobile Telecommunications-2000 (IMT[2] 2000) specifications by the International Telecommunication Union. 3G finds application in wireless voice telephony, mobile Internet access, fixed wireless Internet access, video calls and mobile TV. Several telecommunications companies market wireless mobile Internet services as 3G, indicating that the advertised service is provided over a 3G wireless network. Services advertised as 3G are required to meet IMT-2000 technical standards, including standards for reliability and

speed (data transfer rates). To meet the IMT-2000 standards, a system is required to provide peak data rates of at least 200 kbit/s(about 0.2 Mbit/s). However, many services advertised as 3G provide higher speed than the minimum technical requirements for a 3G service. Recent 3G releases, often denoted 3.5G and 3.75G, also providemobile broadband access of several Mbit/s to smartphones and mobile modems in laptop computers.

History [edit]
3G technology is the result of ground-breaking research and development work carried out by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) in the early 1980s. 3G specifications and standards were developed in fifteen years. The technical specifications were made available to the public under the name IMT-2000. The communication spectrum between 400 MHz to 3 GHz was allocated for 3G. Both [9] the government and communication companies approved the 3G standard. The first pre-commercial 3G [10] network was launched by NTT DoCoMo in Japan in 1998, branded as FOMA. It was first available in [11] May 2001 as a pre-release (test) of W-CDMA technology. The first commercial launch of 3G was also by NTT DoCoMo in Japan on 1 October 2001, although it was initially somewhat limited in [12][13] [14] scope; broader availability of the system was delayed by apparent concerns over its reliability. The first European pre-commercial network was an UMTS network on the Isle of Man by Manx Telecom, the operator then owned by British Telecom, and the first commercial network (also UMTS based WCDMA) in Europe was opened for business by Telenor in December 2001 with no commercial handsets and thus no paying customers. The first network to go commercially live was by SK Telecom in South Korea on the CDMA-based 1xEVDO technology in January 2002. By May 2002 the second South Korean 3G network was by KT on EVDO and thus the South Koreans were the first to see competition among 3G operators. The first commercial United States 3G network was by Monet Mobile Networks, on CDMA2000 1x EV-DO technology, but this network provider later shut down operations. The second 3G network operator in the [15] USA was Verizon Wireless in July 2002 also on CDMA2000 1x EV-DO. AT&T Mobility is also a true 3G UMTS network, having completed its upgrade of the 3G network to HSUPA. The first pre-commercial demonstration network in the southern hemisphere was built in Adelaide, South Australia by m.Net Corporation in February 2002 using UMTS on 2,100 MHz. This was a demonstration network for the 2002 IT World Congress. The first commercial 3G network was launched by Hutchison [16] Telecommunications branded as Three or "3" in June 2003. Emtel Launched the first 3G network in Africa. By June 2007, the 200 millionth 3G subscriber had been connected. This is only 6.7% of the 3 billion mobile phone subscriptions worldwide. In the countries where 3G was launched first Japan and South [17] Korea 3G penetration is over 70%. In Europe the leading country for 3G penetration is Italy with a third of its subscribers migrated to 3G. Other leading countries for 3G use include UK, Austria, Australia and Singapore at the 20% migration level. A confusing statistic is counting CDMA2000 1x RTT customers as if they were 3G customers. If using this definition, then the total 3G subscriber base would be 475 million at June 2007 and 15.8% of all subscribers worldwide.

Adoption [edit]

3G was relatively slow to be adopted globally. In some instances, 3G networks do not use the same radio frequencies as 2G so mobile operators must build entirely new networks and license entirely new frequencies, especially so to achieve high data transmission rates. Other delays were due to the expenses of upgrading transmission hardware, especially for UMTS, whose deployment required the replacement of most broadcast towers. Due to these issues and difficulties with deployment, many carriers were not able to or delayed acquisition of these updated capabilities. In December 2007, 190 3G networks were operating in 40 countries and 154 HSDPA networks were operating in 71 countries, according to the Global Mobile Suppliers Association (GSA). In Asia, Europe, Canada and the USA, telecommunication companies use W-CDMA technology with the support of around 100 terminal designs to operate 3G mobile networks. Roll-out of 3G networks was delayed in some countries by the enormous costs of additional spectrum licensing fees. (See Telecoms crash.) The license fees in some European countries were particularly high, bolstered by government auctions of a limited number of licenses and sealed bid auctions, and initial excitement over 3G's potential. The 3G standard is perhaps well known because of a massive expansion of the mobile communications market post-2G and advances of the consumer mophone. An especially notable development during this time is the smartphone (for example, the iPhone, and the Android family), combining the abilities of a PDA with a mobile phone, leading to widespread demand for mobile internet connectivity. 3G has also introduced the term "mobile broadband" because its speed and capability make it a viable alternative for internet browsing, and USB Modems connecting to 3G networks are becoming increasingly common.

Data rates
ITU has not provided a clear definition of the data rate users can expect from 3G equipment or providers. Thus users sold 3G service may not be able to point to a standard and say that the rates it specifies are not being met. While stating in commentary that "it is expected that IMT-2000 will provide higher transmission rates: a minimum data rate of 2 Mbit/s for stationary or walking users, and 384 kbit/s in a [22] moving vehicle," the ITU does not actually clearly specify minimum or average rates or what modes of the interfaces qualify as 3G, so various rates are sold as 3G intended to meet customers expectations of broadband data.

Security
3G networks offer greater security than their 2G predecessors. By allowing the UE (User Equipment) to authenticate the network it is attaching to, the user can be sure the network is the intended one and not an impersonator. 3G networks use the KASUMI block cipher instead of the older A5/1 stream cipher. [23] However, a number of serious weaknesses in the KASUMI cipher have been identified. In addition to the 3G network infrastructure security, end-to-end security is offered when application frameworks such as IMS are accessed, although this is not strictly a 3G property.

Applications of 3G [edit]
The bandwidth and location information available to 3G devices gives rise to applications not previously available to mobile phone users. Some of the applications are: Mobile TV

Video on demand Video Conferencing Telemedicine Location-based services Global Positioning System (GPS)

Evolution
Both 3GPP and 3GPP2 are working on extensions to 3G standard that are based on an all-IP network infrastructure and using advanced wireless technologies such as MIMO. These specifications already display features characteristic for IMT-Advanced (4G), the successor of 3G. However, falling short of the bandwidth requirements for 4G (which is 1 Gbit/s for stationary and 100 Mbit/s for mobile operation), these standards are classified as 3.9G or Pre-4G. 3GPP plans to meet the 4G goals with LTE Advanced, whereas Qualcomm has halted development of [7] UMB in favour of the LTE family. On 14 December 2009, Telia Sonera announced in an official press release that "We are very proud to be [24] the first operator in the world to offer our customers 4G services." With the launch of their LTE network, initially they are offering pre-4G (or beyond 3G) services in Stockholm, Sweden and Oslo, Norway.

2G (or 2-G) is short for second-generation wireless telephone technology. Second generation 2G cellular telecom networks were commercially launched on the GSM standard in Finland by Radiolinja (now part [1] of Elisa Oyj) in 1991. Three primary benefits of 2G networks over their predecessors were that phone conversations were digitally encrypted; 2G systems were significantly more efficient on the spectrum allowing for far greater mobile phone penetration levels; and 2G introduced data services for mobile, starting with SMS text messages. 2G network allows for much greater penetration intensity. 2G technologies enabled the various mobile phone networks to provide the services such as text messages, picture messages and MMS (multi media messages). 2G technology is more efficient. 2G technology holds sufficient security for both the sender and the receiver. All text messages are digitally encrypted. This digital encryption allows for the transfer of data in such a way that only the intended receiver can receive and read it. After 2G was launched, the previous mobile telephone systems were retrospectively dubbed 1G. While radio signals on 1G networks are analog, radio signals on 2G networks are digital. Both systems use digital signaling to connect the radio towers (which listen to the handsets) to the rest of the telephone system.

2G has been superseded by newer technologies such as 2.5G, 2.75G, 3G, and 4G; however, 2G networks are still used in many parts of the world.
Contents
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1 2G technologies 2 Capacities, advantages, and disadvantages

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2.1 Capacity 2.2 Disadvantages 2.3 Advantage

3 Evolution

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3.1 2.5G (GPRS) 3.2 2.75G (EDGE)

4 See also 5 References

2G technologies [edit]
2G technologies can be divided into Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)-based and Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)-based standards depending on the type of multiplexing used. The main 2G standards are: GSM (TDMA-based), originally from Europe but used in almost all countries on all six inhabited continents. Today accounts for over 80% of all subscribers around the world. Over 60 GSM operators [2] are also using CDMA2000 in the 450 MHz frequency band (CDMA450). IS-95 aka cdmaOne (CDMA-based, commonly referred as simply CDMA in the US), used in the Americas and parts of Asia. Today accounts for about 17% of all subscribers globally. Over a dozen CDMA operators have migrated to GSM including operators in Mexico, India, Australia and South Korea. PDC (TDMA-based), used exclusively in Japan iDEN (TDMA-based), proprietary network used by Nextel in the United States and Telus Mobility in Canada IS-136 a.k.a. D-AMPS (TDMA-based, commonly referred as simply 'TDMA' in the US), was once prevalent in the Americas but most have migrated to GSM.

2G services are frequently referred as Personal Communications Service, or PCS, in the United States.

Capacities, advantages, and disadvantages [edit]

Capacity [edit]
Using digital signals between the handsets and the towers increases system capacity in two key ways:

Digital voice data can be compressed and multiplexed much more effectively than analog voice encodings through the use of various codecs, allowing more calls to be transmitted in same amount of radiobandwidth. The digital systems were designed to emit less radio power from the handsets. This meant that cells had to be smaller, so more cells had to be placed in the same amount of space. This was possible because cell towers and related equipment had become less expensive.

Disadvantages [edit]
In less populous areas, the weaker digital signal transmitted by a cellular phone may not be sufficient to reach a cell tower. This tends to be a particular problem on 2G systems deployed on higher frequencies, but is mostly not a problem on 2G systems deployed on lower frequencies. National regulations differ greatly among countries which dictate where 2G can be deployed.

A general rule can be applied to make it sound simple. " Frequency is inversely proportional to wavelength ". Analog has a smooth decay curve, but digital has a jagged steppy one. This can be both an advantage and a disadvantage. Under good conditions, digital will sound better. Under slightly worse conditions, analog will experience static, while digital has occasional dropouts. As conditions worsen, though, digital will start to completely fail, by dropping calls or being unintelligible, while analog slowly gets worse, generally holding a call longer and allowing at least some of the audio transmitted to be understood.

Advantage [edit]
While digital calls tend to be free of static and background noise, the lossy compression they use reduces their quality, meaning that the range of sound that they convey is reduced. Talking on a [citation needed] digital cell phone, a caller hears less of the tonality of someone's voice.

Evolution [edit]
2G networks were built mainly for voice services and slow data transmission (defined in IMT2000 specification documents), but are considered by the general public to be 2.5G or 2.75G services because they are several times slower than present-day 3G service.

2.5G (GPRS) [edit]

2.5G ("second and a half generation") is used to describe 2G-systems that have implemented a packetswitched domain in addition to the circuit-switched domain. It does not necessarily provide faster services because bundling of timeslots is used for circuit-switched data services (HSCSD) as well. The first major step in the evolution of GSM networks to 3G occurred with the introduction of General Packet Radio Service (GPRS). CDMA2000 networks similarly evolved through the introduction of 1xRTT. The combination of these capabilities came to be known as 2.5G. GPRS could provide data rates from 56 kbit/s up to 115 kbit/s. It can be used for services such as Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) access, Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS), and for Internet communication services such as email and World Wide Web access. GPRS data transfer is typically charged per megabyte of traffic transferred, while data communication via traditional circuit switching is billed per minute of connection time, independent of whether the user actually is utilizing the capacity or is in an idle state. 1xRTT supports bi-

directional (up and downlink) peak data rates up to 153.6 kbit/s, delivering an average user data [3] throughput of 80-100 kbit/s in commercial networks. It can also be used for WAP, SMS & MMS services, as well as Internet access.

2.75G (EDGE)
GPRS1 networks evolved to EDGE networks with the introduction of 8PSK encoding. Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Enhanced GPRS (EGPRS), or IMT Single Carrier (IMT-SC) is a backward-compatible digital mobile phone technology that allows improved data transmission rates, as an extension on top of standard GSM. EDGE was deployed on GSM networks beginning in 2003initially by Cingular (now AT&T) in the United States. EDGE is standardized by 3GPP as part of the GSM family and it is an upgrade that provides a potential three-fold increase in capacity of GSM/GPRS networks.