Our wireless communication system has changed significantly since the first wireless network was created over four decades ago. When the first generation mobile network was introduced in the early 1980s, the demand for more connections worldwide grew, leading to the rapid evolution of mobile communication.
Mobile communications standards had to evolve to support more users. So today, we’ll review the evolution of wireless communication and how we can expect the newest generation, 5G, to continue developing.
First Generation (1G)
In 1979, the Japanese telecommunications provider Nippon Telephone and Telegraph Company (NTT) deployed the first generation of wireless communication, known today as 1G.
Because 1G networks used analog signals, the technology was severely limited. Rather than encoding voice calls into digital signals, the audio was modulated to a higher frequency that degraded the quality of the signal over time and space.
Key Features of 1G
- Bandwidth: 10MHz
- Speed: 2.4Kbps
- Frequency: 800MHz, 900MHz
- Channel capacity: 30KHz
Disadvantages of 1G
- Unable to interoperate between countries
- Unreliable handoff
- Signal interference issues
- Little protection against hackers
Second Generation (2G)
The second generation in the evolution of wireless communication introduced a new digital technology known as Global System for Mobile communication (GSM), which became the standard in future generations of wireless communication.
GSM technology enabled digital voice and data to be sent across the network, rather than relying on analog radio signals, in the early 1990s. The improvements made to GSM technology resulted in 2.5G, which used packet switching to group data together for fast, efficient data transfer across a network.
Key Features of 2G
- Bandwidth: 30–200KHz
- Speed: Up to 64Kbps
- SMS and MMS messaging
- Roaming
- Billing based on services used, e.g., long-distance calls
Disadvantages of 2G
- Low data rate
- Fewer features on mobile phones and devices
- Limited number of users
Third Generation (3G)
The introduction of UMTS (Universal Mobile Terrestrial/Telecommunication Systems) launched the third generation of wireless communications, which could transmit more significant amounts of data at higher speeds.Â
3G mobile communication enabled the global popularity of smartphones. Specific applications were developed to utilize newer capabilities, such as multimedia chat, email, video calling, social media and mobile games.
Key Features of 3G
- Bandwidth: 15–20 MHz
- Speed: Up to 14Mbps
- Higher data rate
- Video calling
- Mobile app support
- Multimedia message support
- Location tracking
- Improved web browsing
- TV streaming
Disadvantages of 3G
- Costly infrastructure, equipment and implementation
- Expensive mobile devices
- Higher bandwidth requirements to enable faster data transmission
Fourth Generation (4G)
The 4G network is an enhanced version of 3G networks, developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) to provide even higher data rates while handling more advanced multimedia features.Â
In addition, 4G networks also use a cutting-edge technology known as Long-Term Evolution (LTE) while remaining compatible with previous generations of mobile communication for easier deployment.
Key Features of 4G
- Bandwidth: 15–20 MHz
- Speed: Up to 1Gbps
- Interactive multimedia, voice and video calling
- High definition video streaming and gaming
- Enhanced security and mobility
- Reduced latency
Disadvantages of 4G
- Costly infrastructure, hardware
- Expensive mobile devices compatible with 4G required
- Time-consuming deployment and upgrade
Fifth Generation (5G)
As the latest stage in the evolution of mobile communication, 5G addresses one of the biggest challenges of wireless technology: latency, or the time it takes for an amount of data to be transmitted from one point to another.
5G technology allows for high-speed data transmission to support the Internet of Things (IoT), which describes physical objects that use sensors, processing ability, software and other technologies to connect with other devices and exchange data.
Key Features of 5G
- Speed: 1–10Gbps (in lab conditions)
- Interactive multimedia, voice and video calling
- High definition video streaming and gaming
- Enhanced security and mobility
- Reduced latency in milliseconds
Disadvantages of 5G
- Costly infrastructure, hardware
- Expensive mobile devices compatible with 4G required
- Time-consuming deployment and upgrade
What’s Next?
5G networks are built to deliver faster internet speeds, high-quality multimedia content and increased connectivity. Higher connectivity enables the seamless integration of IoT devices, bridging the gap between physical and digital worlds.
The increased connectivity of 5G will allow up to 900,000 more devices to be connected per square kilometer than 4G, which can only connect 100,000 devices. In addition, thanks to faster data transmission and reduced latency, 5G will be 100 times more energy-efficient than today’s 4G networks.Â
Even when more wireless devices are online, the energy required to power them will decrease. This should also reduce the carbon footprint of wireless communication networks, or at least not increase it proportionally to the number of devices connected to the network.
Read: Cellular vs. Satellite: Which is Best For Your Business?
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