List of wireless network technologies

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This article summarizes the main generations of mobile network technology, from early analog radio systems to current digital cellular standards.

Contents

Generations of mobile network technologies
GenerationStandardsCore technologyMaximum data rateLaunch yearNotes
0GMobile radio telephoneAnalog (pre-cellular)<1 kbit/s1946Point-to-point radio without cells
1GNMT, AMPS, TACSAnalog voice2.4–9.6 kbit/s1979First cellular systems
1.5GD-AMPSHybrid analog/digital14.4 kbit/s1990Transitional between 1G and 2G
2GGSM, IS-95, IS-136Digital voice and SMS64–144 kbit/s1991Introduced digital encryption and text messaging
2.5GGPRSPacket-switched overlay56–115 kbit/s2000Added packet-switched data to GSM
2.75GEDGE8PSK modulation236 kbit/s2003Enhanced GPRS data rates
3GUMTS, CDMA2000W-CDMA / CDMA384 kbit/s–several Mbit/s1998Enabled Internet and video services
3.5GHSDPA, HSUPAHigh-speed packet access14.4 Mbit/s ↓ / 5.8 Mbit/s ↑2005Higher capacity and lower latency
3.75GHSPA+Enhanced HSPA42 Mbit/s ↓2008Final 3G evolution stage
4GLTE, WiMAXAll-IP, OFDMA100 Mbit/s–1 Gbit/s2009Broadband Internet and multimedia services
4.5GLTE-Advanced, LTE-Advanced ProCarrier aggregation, MIMO1–3 Gbit/s2015Precursor to 5G
5G5G NRMassive MIMO, beamformingUp to 20 Gbit/s2019Low latency, IoT, mmWave spectrum
6G(under research)Sub-THz (100 GHz–3 THz)>1 Tbit/s (target)~2028Experimental systems in development

0G

0G systems did not use cellular networks and are referred to as pre-cellular or zero generation ( 0G mobile ) systems.

1G

1G refers to the first generation of cellular network technology. These analog telecommunication standards were introduced in 1979 and used until replaced by 2G digital systems. The main distinction was that 1G transmitted voice as analog radio signals, while 2G transmitted all communications digitally.

1.5G

1.5G describes transitional systems such as Digital AMPS that combined analog and digital elements.

2G

2G introduced digital encryption for calls, efficient use of spectrum, and services such as SMS and MMS. The first commercial 2G network, using the GSM standard, was launched in Finland by Radiolinja (now Elisa Oyj) in 1991. [1]

North American standards IS-54 and IS-136 (Digital AMPS) used TDMA with three time slots in each 30 kHz channel, supporting three compressed calls in the same spectrum as one analog call under AMPS. IS-95 (CDMAOne) was the first CDMA-based digital cellular standard, developed by Qualcomm and adopted by the Telecommunications Industry Association in 1995.

2.5G

2.5G systems added a packet-switched domain alongside circuit-switched operation, enabling GPRS mobile data.

2.75G

GPRS networks evolved to EDGE with the introduction of 8PSK modulation.

3G

3G standards introduced data rates of at least 144 kbit/s and later supported several Mbit/s, enabling mobile broadband for smartphones and modems. CDMA2000 succeeded cdmaOne (IS-95) and was deployed in North America, East Asia, and Oceania. Variants included CDMA2000 1xRTT for voice and 1xEV-DO for data. The first 3G networks appeared in 1998.

3.5G

3.5G covered technologies that improved 3G performance, such as High-Speed Downlink Packet Access (HSDPA) and Evolved High Speed Packet Access.

3.75G

HSPA+ (Evolved HSPA) was the final stage of 3G evolution.

4G

4G provided broadband Internet access for mobile devices, supporting IP telephony, high-definition video, and real-time communication. LTE and WiMAX were the first 4G implementations. LTE Advanced met the full 4G standard. The first LTE networks launched in Oslo and Stockholm in 2009.

4.5G

4.5G, also called LTE-Advanced Pro, increased throughput and reduced latency using carrier aggregation and massive MIMO.

5G

5G is the successor to 4G and IMT-Advanced. It provides lower latency, higher data rates, and large-scale device connectivity. The Next Generation Mobile Networks Alliance defined key performance targets such as gigabit speeds in dense areas and high connection density. [2] 3GPP developed the 5G NR (New Radio) specification with frequency ranges FR1 (<6 GHz) and FR2 (mmWave). [3]

6G

6G research began in the late 2010s. It is expected to use frequencies between 100 GHz and 3 THz, offering terabit data rates but limited range. [4] Commercial deployment is projected for the late 2020s. [5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Radiolinja's history". April 20, 2004. Archived from the original on October 23, 2006. Retrieved December 23, 2009.
  2. ↑ "The race to 5G: Inside the fight for the future of mobile". TechRepublic. December 15, 2014. Retrieved May 3, 2018.
  3. ↑ "5G frequency ranges". ShareTechnote. Retrieved May 3, 2025.
  4. ↑ Rappaport, Theodore S.; Xing, Yunchou; Kanhere, Ojas; Ju, Shihao (2019). "Wireless Communications and Applications Above 100 GHz: Opportunities and Challenges for 6G and Beyond". IEEE Access. 7: 78729–78757. doi: 10.1109/ACCESS.2019.2921522 . ISSN   2169-3536.
  5. ↑ "China sends 'world's first 6G' test satellite into orbit". BBC News. November 6, 2020. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
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