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.

Dates & Cool New Features Technology in Use Speeds Frequencies and Carriers 5. Primary Countries

Dates 1G 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 a single channel. More and more cellular phones are used for data as well as voice. 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.

2G

90's to 2000

2.5G

2001-2004

3G

2004-2005

4G

2006+

Technology 1G 2G 2.5G 3G 4G Analog Digital Circuit Switched Digital Packet Switched Digital Packet Switched Digital Broadband

CMRT D-AMPS GPRS UMTS GSM

AMPS CDMA EDGE W-CDMA CDMA2000 802.11

Data Rate 1G 9.6 Kbps to 14.4 Kbps

D-AMPS GSM 2G IS95A IS95B 2.5G UMTS 3G WCDMA CDMA2000 4G

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 2+ Mbps, up to 384 Kbps 384 Kbps (wide area access), 2 Mbps (local area access) 614 Kbps 20-40 Mbps

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

Carrier 30 kHz 30 kHz 200 kHz 1.25 MHz 200 kHz 5 MHz 5 MHz 1.25 MHz / 3.75 MHz In Development

Primary Countries 1G D-AMPS 2G GSM IS95A/B Worldwide USA Europe USA

2.5G 3G 4G

Europe, Asia, USA Europe, Japan, USA In Development