Generation of wireless telephone technology

Wireless communication is used to transfer information over short dista

nces (a few meters as in television remote control) or long distances
(thousands or millions of kilometers for radio communications). The ter
m is often shortened to "wireless". It encompasses various types of fix
ed, mobile, and portable two-way radios, cellular telephones, personal
digital assistants (PDAs), and wireless networking. Other examples of w
ireless technology include GPS units, garage door openers and or garage
doors, wireless computer mice, keyboards and headsets, satellite televi
sion and cordless telephones

1G
1G (or 1-G) refers to the first-generation of wireless telephone techno
logy, mobile telecommunications. 1G transmits data via analog signal, w
hich is a form of a wave. So here we were sending data in a form of a w
ave, primarily voice data. 1G also offered data transfer at the speed o
f 14.4kbps at its peak, which meant over less than 1kbps of speed durin
g normal usage. This technology was used by first generation mobile pho
ne which looked like huge cordless phones.

2G
The main difference between two succeeding mobile telephone systems, 1G
and 2G, is that the radio signals that 1G networks use are analog, whil
e 2G networks are digital.
2G was invented for its ability to transmit more data over the air. 2
G, again offered 9.6/14.4kbps of data transfer speed. 2G wasn’t introd
uced cause of the speed but for its ability to transmit more data becau
se of large spectrum available.

3G
3G is the next generation of wireless network technology that provides
high speed bandwidth (high data transfer rates) to handheld devices. Th
e high data transfer rates
will allow 3G networks to offer multimedia services combining voice and
data.Specifically, 3G wireless networks support the following maximum d
ata transfer rates:
- 2.05 Mbits/second to stationary devices.
- 384 Kbits/second for slowly moving devices, such as a handset carried
by a walking user.
- 128 Kbits/second for fast moving devices, such as handsets in moving
vehicles.

The maximum data rate of 128Kbits/second for moving devices is about ten times
faster than that available with the current 2G wireless networks. Unlike 3G networks,
2G networks were designed to carry voice but not data.

3G wireless networks have the bandwidth to provide converged voice and data
services. 3G services will seamlessly combine superior voice quality telephony,
highspeed
mobile IP services, information technology, rich media, and offer diverse content.
Some characteristics of 3G services that have been proposed are:
o Always-on connectivity. 3G networks use IP connectivity, which is packet
based.
o Multi-media services with streaming audio and video.
o Email with full-fledged attachments such as PowerPoint files.
o Instant messaging with video/audio clips.
o Fast downloads of large files such as faxes and PowerPoint files.
o Access to corporate applications.

4G
4G stands for the fourth generation of cellular wireless standards. It is a successor to
3G and 2G families of standards. Speed requirements for 4G service set the peak
download speed at 100 Mbit/s for high mobility communication (such as from trains
and cars) and 1 Gbit/s for low mobility communication (such as pedestrians and
stationary users).

A 4G system is expected to provide a comprehensive and secure all-IP based mobile

broadband solution to smartphones, laptop computer wireless modems and other
mobile devices. Facilities such as ultra-broadband Internet access, IP telephony,
gaming services, and streamed multimedia may be provided to users.

Pre 4G Technologies (i.e post 3G)

Pre-4G technologies such as mobile WiMAX and first-release 3G Long term evolution
(LTE) have been on the market since 2006[1] and 2009[2][3][4] respectively, and are
often branded as 4G

mobile WiMAX
WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) is a telecommunications
protocol that provides fixed and fully mobile Internet access. The current WiMAX
revision provides up to 40 Mbit/s[1][2] with the IEEE 802.16m update expected to
offer up to 1 Gbit/s fixed speeds. The name "WiMAX" was created by the WiMAX
Forum, which was formed in June 2001 to promote conformity and interoperability of
the standard. The forum describes WiMAX[3] as "a standards-based technology
enabling the delivery of last mile wireless broadband access as an alternative to
cable and DSL".

3G Long term evolution (LTE)