Comparison Chart

The five charts below quickly compare the differences between the generations of wireless telecommunications. Each chart covers a different aspect of the standards: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Dates & Cool New Features Technology in Use Speeds Frequencies and Carriers Primary Countries

Dates 1G 2G 70's to 80's

Cool New Features Wireless phones (cellular) are introduced, primarily for voice only.

Increased performance achieved by allowing multiple users on 90's to 2000 a single channel. More and more cellular phones are used for data as well as voice. 2001-2004 The Internet turns the focus towards data transmission. Enhanced multimedia and streaming video are now possible. Phones support limited web browsing. Enhanced multimedia and streaming video capabilities are increased. Standards are created to allow universal access and portability across different device types (Telephones, PDA's, etc.) Speeds reach up to 40 Mbps. Enhanced multimedia, streaming video, access and portability are increased still further. Devices are equipped for world-wide roaming. Technology

2.5G

3G

2004-2005

4G

2006+

1G 2G 2.5G 3G 4G

Analog Digital Circuit Switched Digital Packet Switched Digital Packet Switched Digital Broadband Data Rate 1G D-AMPS GSM IS95A IS95B 9.6 Kbps to 14.4 Kbps 9.6 Kbps to 14.4 Kbps 9.6 Kbps to 14.4 Kbps 9.6 Kbps to 14.4 Kbps 115 Kbps 56 Kbps to 144 Kbps

CMRT D-AMPS GPRS UMTS 802.11 GSM

AMPS CDMA EDGE W-CDMA CDMA2000

2G

2.5G

UMTS 3G WCDMA

2+ Mbps, up to 384 Kbps 384 Kbps (wide area access), 2 Mbps (local area access)

CDMA2000 614 Kbps 20-40 Mbps 4G Frequency 1G D-AMPS 2G GSM IS95A/B 2.5G UMTS 3G WCDMA CDMA2000 4G 800 MHz 800 MHz or 1.9 GHz 800 MHz or 1.9 GHz 800 MHz or 1.9 GHz 800 MHz or 1.9 GHz 2 GHz 2 GHz 2 GHz In Development Primary Countries Worldwide USA Europe USA Europe, Asia, USA Europe, Japan, USA In Development Carrier 30 kHz 30 kHz 200 kHz 1.25 MHz 200 kHz 5 MHz 5 MHz 1.25 MHz / 3.75 MHz In Development

1G D-AMPS 2G GSM IS95A/B 2.5G 3G 4G