Four generations of cellular telephony

First generation cell phones were only used for analog voice conversation. The second generation was digital, but fairly slow. Many people are still using 2G phones for phone calls. While 2G phones could be used for slow Internet access, most Internet traffic has now moved to 3G where it is available. Standards development for the next generation of cellular communication has begun, and will roll out during the next decade.

Decade 1980s, 1G 1990s, 2G 2000s, 3G 2010s, 4G
Coverage Outdoor In/outdoor Global roaming Global roaming
Applications Business voice Consumer voice Voice and some data Data, including voice
Data speed 9.6-28kbps Up to 100 kbps Up to 2 mbps, slower in a car Up to 100 mbps
Status Obsolete Deployed Deploying now LTE technology is expected to beat mobile WiMAX, Japanese launch December 2010
Connection mode Circuit Circuit Packet -- always on Packet -- always on
Hand set

The speed figures given above are general estimates, but ARCchart, a wireless market research company, has gathered data on download speeds using GSM, the most common global cell phone technology. As you see below, the actual speeds achieved in different cities and neighborhoods vary. While the most common 3G connection speed is around 1,000 kbps, it can go as low as 300 and as high as 1,600. (Click here for more on the coverage and speed variability).

Japan rolled out 3G cellular radios faster than other nations, and the market their is nearly saturated today. Other nations are moving to 3G, and, by 2013, the market research firm Telegeography predicts China, India and the US will have surpassed Japan in the number of 3G users. By 2014, they expect China to be the largest 3G nation. But, by 2014, fourth generation cellular will be rolling out, driven by demand for mobile Internet access.

Here we see the global projection for 2013 from Telegeography:

Cell phones require large investments in antennae and radios. The antennae on the left were installed on the stadium light pole of a school which leases the antenna space for $6,000 a year. The towers on the right are disguised. (Click here for more pictures of cell antennae).

There are many cellular towers near CSUDH.

Companies like Inmarsat offer connectivity nearly anywhere on Earth using LEO satellites, but they are slow and very expensive.

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed on unofficial pages of California State University, Dominguez Hills faculty, staff or students are strictly those of the page authors. The content of these pages has not been reviewed or approved by California State University, Dominguez Hills.