Thanks to cutting edge technology, we’ve become more and more connected, communicating with one another via text, audio, images and video – all while on the move. We break down just how far we’ve come from 1G to 5G
Generation 1G (1970-1980s)
Speed
14.4 Kps
Technology
AMPS, NMT, TACS
Key Features
Voice-only services
Generation 2G (1990 - 2000)
Speed
9.6/14.4 Kps
Technology
TDMA, CDMA
Key Features
Voice and data
sevices
Generation 2.5G – 2.75G
Speed
171.2 Kps
20-40 Kbps
Technology
GPRS
Key Features
Voice, data, mobile Internet,
low-speed streaming services
and email services
Generation 3G (2004 – 2005)
Speed
3.1 Mbps
500-700 Kbps
Technology
CDMA2000 (1XRTT, EVDO),
UMTS, EDGE
Key Features
Voice, data and multimedia
support for smartphone
apps, faster Web browsing,
video calling and TV streaming
Generation 3.5G (2006 – 2010)
Speed
14.4 Mbps
1-3 Mbps
Technology
HSPA
Key Features
All the services from 3G
networks with enhanced
speed and mobility
Generation 4G (2010 onward)
Speed
100-300 Mbps
3-5 Mbps
100 Mbps (Wi-Fi)
Technology
WiMax, LTE, WiFi
Key Features
High speed, high quality
voice over IP, HD multimedia
streaming, 3D gaming,
HD video
Generation 5G (2019 year end)
Speed
1-10 Gbps
Technology
LTE advanced schemes,
OMA, NOMA
Key Features
Super fast mobile Internet,
low-latency network for
mission-critical applications,
Internet of Things, security
and surveillance, HD
multimedia streaming,
autonomous driving and
smart healthcare applications
For all things mobile, check out the rest of this article in our upcoming special issue on the Mobile Phone (Asian Geographic No.135 Issue 2/2019 ) or you can also check out our past issues here or download a digital copy here
