Last updated December 2023
Much of the conversation in the mobile industry is about what benefits we can expect to see with 5G worldwide rollouts.
But many consumers will remember when 2G, 3G and 4G were the latest innovations in mobile connectivity.
Each generation of networks brought a significant milestone in the development of mobile communications.
Here is an outline of the five generations of mobile networks:
First Generation (1G)
First-generation mobile networks relied on analogue radio systems, which meant that users could only make phone calls and not send or receive text messages. The 1G network was first introduced in Japan in 1979 before being rolled out in other countries, such as the USA, in 1980.
Cell towers were built around the country to make it work, meaning that signal coverage could be obtained from greater distances. However, the network was unreliable and had some security issues. For instance, cell coverage would often drop, it would experience interference by other radio signals, and it could easily be hacked due to a lack of encryption.
This means that conversations can be heard and recorded with a few tools.
Second Generation (2G)
The 1G network was not perfect, but it remained until 1991, when it was replaced with 2G. This new mobile network ran on digital signal, not analogue, vastly improving its security and capacity. On 2G, users could send SMS and MMS messages (although slowly and often without success), and when GPRS was introduced in 1997, users could receive and send emails on the move.
Third Generation (3G)
Third-generation mobile networks are still in use, but normally, when the superior 4G signal fails. 3G revolutionized mobile connectivity and the capabilities of cell phones. Compared to 2G, 3G was much faster and could transmit greater amounts of data. This means that users could video call, share files, surf the internet, watch TV online, and play games on their mobiles for the first time.
Under 3G, cell phones were no longer just about calling and texting; they were the hub of social connectivity.
Fourth Generation (4G)
The introduction of 4G went one step further than the revolutionary 3G.
It is five times faster than the 3G network – and can theoretically provide speeds of up to 100Mbps. All mobile models released from 2013 onwards should support this network, which can offer connectivity for tablets, laptops, and smartphones.
Under 4G, users can experience better latency (less buffering), higher voice quality, easy access to instant messaging services and social media, quality streaming, and faster downloads.
Fifth Generation (5G)
The network has arrived and has been largely welcomed by the mobile industry. The network has changed more than our mobile use and affects how we connect our devices to the internet. The improved speed and the massive network capacity have developed new IoT trends, such as smart cities, healthcare, IoT in the home or office and connected cars.
5G can theoretically have a download speed 20x faster than 4G and boasts a very low latency compared to its predecessor. This means the time delay for online gaming, video calls, and critical mission applications will be significantly lower.
With almost a decade of 5G development left, the technology’s full potential is yet to come. The 5G network will revolutionize how people live and work worldwide, so expect to see exciting changes in the coming years.
Looking Beyond 5G: The Dawn of 6G
As we continue to embrace the wonders of 5G, the tech world is already buzzing about 6G.
Expected to launch around 2030, 6G will take wireless communication to new heights, offering speeds up to 100 times faster than 5G.
It promises to usher in advanced applications like high-fidelity holographic communication, AI-driven networks, and ultra-precise location sensing. The leap from 5G to 6G will mark a significant advancement in technology, further connecting the world in ways we're just beginning to imagine.
Are you interested to learn more? Carry on reading our Mobile Networking Guide.