Difference Between 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G
(With Comparison Charts)
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A new generation of cellular standards has appeared approximately every tenth year since 1G
systems were introduced in 1979 and the early to mid-1980s. Each generation is characterized by
new frequency bands, higher data rates and non-backward-compatible transmission technology.
1G (First Generation Technology)
1G refers to the first generation of wireless cellular technology. These are the analog
telecommunications standards that were introduced in the 1980s and continued until being
replaced by 2G digital communications. 1G is an analog technology and phones generally had
poor battery life and voice quality was large without much security, and would sometimes
experience dropped calls. Usually, the main difference between the two mobile cellular systems
(1G and 2G) is that the radio signals used by 1G networks are analog, while 2G networks are
digital.
Features Of 1G That You Need To Know
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1 G uses analog signals for communication.
For accessing, FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access) is the main channelization
protocol in 1G.
1G was built upon the standards of MTS, AMTS and IMTS.
Switching type used in 1G is circuit switching.
1G provides voice communication service but no data communication.
1G provides the first wireless communication service.
1G is unable to provide internet service.
The disadvantages of 1G are limited channel capacity, the large size of the phones, low
quality of voice and low battery life.
2G (Second Generation Cellular Network)
2G (second generation cellular network) were commercially launched on the GSM standard in
Finland by Radiolinja in 1991. The main motive of this generation was to provide secure and
reliable communication channel. In this regard, the technology implemented the concept of
CDMA and GSM. 2G technologies enabled the various networks to provide the services such as
text messages, picture messages and MMS (multimedia messages). All text messages sent over
2G are digitally encrypted, allowing the transfer of data in such a way that only the intended
receiver can receive and read it.
The maximum speed of 2G with General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) is 50Kbps or 1 Mbps
with enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE). Three primary benefits of 2G over its
predecessors were that:
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Phone conversations were digitally encrypted.
Data services for mobile, starting with SMS text messages.
Significantly more efficient use of the radio frequency spectrum enabling more users per
frequency band.
Features Of 2G That You Need To Know
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2G uses the digital signal for communication.
The main function of 2G technology is the transmission of information via voice signals.
For accessing, TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access) and CDMA (Code Division
Multiple Access) are the main channelization protocol in 2G.
2G was built upon the standards of GSM.
2G technology offers a low level of security as compared to 3G technology because 3G
networks permit validation measures when communicating with other devices.
The switching type used in 2G is circuit switching and packet switching.
2G provide voice and data communication service, but it does not allow complex data
communication like video.
2G is digitalized version of 1G.
2G technology uses a broad range of frequencies in both upper and lower bands, under
which the transmission depends on conditions such as weather.
2G provide narrow band internet service.
The disadvantage of 2G is the slow rate of data transmission and low network ranges.
The downloading and uploading speeds available in 2G technologies are up to 236kbps.
Also Read: Differences Between Connection-Oriented And Connection-less Services In
Telecommunication
Difference Between 1G And 2G In Tabular Form
BASIS OF
COMPARISON
Type Of Signal
Channelization
Protocol
1G
2G
1 G uses analog signals for
communication.
For accessing, FDMA (Frequency
Division Multiple Access) is the
2G uses the digital signal for
communication.
For accessing, TDMA (Time Division
Multiple Access) and CDMA (Code
main channelization protocol in
1G.
1G was built upon the standards of
Standards
MTS, AMTS and IMTS.
Type Of switching Switching type used in 1G is
circuit switching.
Used
1G is unable to provide internet
Internet Service
service.
Voice And Data
Communication
Drawbacks
Division Multiple Access) are the
main channelization protocol in 2G.
2G was built upon the standards of
GSM.
Switching type used in 1G is circuit
switching.
2G provide narrow band internet
service.
2G provide voice and data
1G provides voice communication
communication service, but it does not
service but no data
allow complex data communication
communication.
like video.
The disadvantages of 1G are
The disadvantage of 2G is the slow
limited channel capacity, the large
rate of data transmission and low
size of the phones, low quality of
network ranges.
voice and low battery life.
3G (Third Generation Technology)
3G is the third generation of cellular-phone network technology, capable of fast rates of data
transmission that support e-mail communications, high-speed internet access, video streaming
etc. The first commercial 3G networks were introduced in 2012, and since its introduction, the
3G standard is perhaps the well known because of a massive expansion of the mobile
communications market post-2G and advances of the consumer mobile phone. 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 capabilities make it a
viable alternative for internet browsing and USB modems connecting to 3G networks are
increasingly becoming common.
Features Of 3G That You Need To Know
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The main function of 3G technology is data transfer via video conferencing, MMS etc.
The first commercial 3G networks were introduced in 2012.
Features like mobile TV, video transfers and GPS systems are the additional features of
3G technology that are not available with 1G and 2G technologies.
The drawback of 3G is that it is simply not available in certain regions.
The downloading and uploading speeds are up to 21 Mbps and 5.7 Mbps respectively.
The speed of transmission is very fast when compared to 2G.
3G technology offers a high level of security as compared to 2G technology because 3G
networks permit validation measures when communicating with other devices.
3G uses packet switching for data transmission.
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Handoff management is done vertically in 3G.
The frequency range of 3G technology is from 1.8GHz to 2.5 GHz.
There is turbo codes which are used for error correction in 3G technology.
Also Read: Difference Between LAN, WAN And MAN
Difference Between 2G And 3G Technology In Tabular
Form
BASIS OF
COMPARISON
2G
3G
The main function of 2G technology The main function of 3G technology
is the transmission of information
is data transfer via video
Main Function
via voice signals.
conferencing, MMS etc.
Features like mobile TV, video
Features like mobile TV, video
transfers and GPS systems are the
transfers and GPS system are not
Additional
additional features of 3G technology
available with 1G and 2G
Features
that are not available with 1G and
technologies.
2G technologies.
The downloading and uploading
The downloading and uploading
Downloading And
speeds available in 2G technologies speeds are up to 21 Mbps and 5.7
Uploading Speeds
are up to 236kbps.
Mbps respectively.
2G technology offers a low level of 3G technology offers a high level of
security as compared to 3G
security as compared to 2G
technology because 3G networks
technology because 3G networks
Security
permit validation measures when
permit validation measures when
communicating with other devices. communicating with other devices.
There is no turbo codes which are
There is turbo codes which are used
used for error correction in 2G
for error correction in 3G
Turbo Codes
technology.
technology.
The switching type used in 2G is
3G uses packet switching for data
circuit switching and packet
Switching Type
transmission.
switching.
The downloading and uploading
The downloading and uploading
Downloading &
speeds available in 2G technologies speeds are up to 21 Mbps and 5.7
Uploading Speeds
are up to 236kbps.
Mbps respectively.
The Speed Of Transmission is very The speed of transmission is very
Transmission
low when compared to 3G.
fast when compared to 2G.
Speed
The disadvantage of 2G is the slow The drawback of 3G is that it is
rate of data transmission and low
simply not available in certain
Drawback
network ranges.
regions.
4G (Fourth Generation Technology)
4G is the fourth generation of mobile phone communications standards. It is a successor of the
3G and provides ultra-broadband internet access for mobile devices. The high data transfer rates
make 4G networks suitable for use in USB wireless modems for laptops and even home internet
access. Potential and current applications include amended mobile web access, IP telephony,
gaming services, high-definition mobile TV, video conferencing and 3D television.
The first-released Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard was commercially deployed in Oslo,
Norway and Stockholm, Sweden in 2009 and since been deployed throughout most parts of the
world. It has, however, been debated whether first-released versions should be considered 4G
LTE.
Features Of 4G You Need To Know
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The maximum upload rate of 4G technology is 500 Mbps.
For accessing, OFDMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) and FDE
(Frequency-Domain Equalization are the main channelization protocol in 4G.
The maximum download rate of 4G technology is 1Gbps.
When it comes to data transmission, 4G uses packet switching technique as well as
message switching technique.
When it comes to data bandwidth 4G offers 1Gbps maximum data bandwidth.
The frequency range of 4G technology is from 2GHz to 8GHz.
4G technology uses concatenated codes for error correction.
Handoff management is done both vertically and horizontally.
Also Read: Difference Between Wi-Fi And Wi-MAX
Difference Between 3G And 4G Technologies In Tabular
Form
BASIS OF
COMPARISON
3G
The maximum uploading
Uploading Speed speeds are up to 5.7
Mbps.
4G
The maximum upload rate of 4G technology is
500 Mbps.
For accessing, OFDMA (Orthogonal
Frequency Division Multiple Access) and FDE
(Frequency-Domain Equalization are the main
channelization protocol in 4G.
The downloading speeds of The maximum download rate of 4G
Download Rate
3G are up to 21 Mbps.
technology is 1Gbps.
There is turbo codes which
are used for error
4G technology uses concatenated codes for
Error Correction
correction in 3G
error correction.
technology.
Channelization
Protocol
The frequency range of 3G
Frequency Range technology is from 1.8GHz
to 2.5 GHz.
Handoff management is
Handoff
done vertically in 3G.
Management
Data
Transmission
Data Bandwidth
Speed Of
Transmission
The frequency range of 4G technology is from
2GHz to 8GHz.
Handoff management is done both vertically
and horizontally.
When it comes to data transmission, 4G uses
3G uses packet switching
packet switching technique as well as message
for data transmission.
switching technique.
3G offers 500Mbps
When it comes to data bandwidth 4G offers
maximum data bandwidth. 1Gbps maximum data bandwidth.
The speed of transmission
The speed of transmission is very fast when
is very low when compared
compared to 3G.
to 4G.
5G (Fifth Generation Technology)
5G technology is the fifth generation wireless technology which is still in its development phase
and is expected to be commercialized in the upcoming years and is expected to be faster than the
existing technologies. 5G is an improvement of 4G and it is expected to provide significantly
faster data rates, higher connection density, and much lower latency, among other improvements.
Other 5G plans include device-to-device communication, better battery consumption and
improved overall wireless coverage.
5G will have low battery consumption, up to 10-year battery life for low power IoT devices.
Also, Security of 5G is expected to be high. The 5G networks will use the security standards SE,
HSM, OTA and KMS to enhance security of data. According to Next Generation Mobile
Networks Alliance, Commercial introduction of 5G technology for business and consumer
demands is before the end of the year 2020.
What You Need To Know About 5G
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5G technology is the fifth generation wireless technology which is still in its development
phase and is expected to be commercialized in the upcoming years and is expected to be
faster than the existing technologies.
5G is expected to have a better coverage area and high data rate at the edge of the cell.
5G will have low battery consumption, up to 10-year battery life for low power IoT
devices.
Availability of multiple data transfer rate.
5G is expected to provide high resolution and have 1000x bandwidth per unit area.
Security of 5G is expected to be high. The 5G networks will use the security standards
SE, HSM, OTA and KMS to enhance security of data.
5G is expected to have very fast speeds. Theoretically data rates can hit up to 20Gbps.
Energy efficiency and spectral efficiency are good.
5G will increase the number of devices connected from 10 to 100x which is calculated in
an average of 50,000 million devices simultaneously.
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5G is expected to have latency at 4 milliseconds in ideal circumstances and at 1
millisecond latency for Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC). Latency
is the time it takes to get information from origin to destination (connect to networks).
This will enhance a noticeable improvement in communication.
5G is expected to have a quick response as compared to 4G technology.
Many of the current devices would not be competent to 5G technology.
5G technology is anticipated to be utilized widely for applications such as smart logistics,
driverless cars and other such smart applications which demand high-speed internet.
Also Read: SDMA Vs TDMA Vs FDMA Vs CDMA
Difference Between 4G And 5G Technology In Tabular
Form
BASIS OF
COMPARISON
Connection
Density
Speed
Application
Coverage
Multiple Data
Transfer Rate
4G
5G
5G is expected to support many more connected
Supports less devices
devices than 4G. The standard states that 5G
per unit area when
network map should be able to support 1 million
compared to 5G.
connected devices per square kilometer.
Has low speed when Greater speed, enough to download a full-length
compared to 5G.
HD movie in few seconds.
5G technology is anticipated to be utilized widely
Application Is still
for applications such as smart logistics, driverless
limited to internet
cars and other such smart applications which
access.
demand high-speed internet.
4G has a limited
5G is expected to have a better coverage area and
coverage area.
high data rate at the edge of the cell.
No multiple data
Availability of multiple data transfer rate.
transfer rate.