1G (First Generation):
Timeline: 1980s
Key Features: Analog cellular networks
Basic voice calling
Technology: AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone System)
Frequency Bands: Primarily 800 MHz
Speed: Low data rates, primarily designed for voice communication
Use Cases: Voice calls with limited coverage and mobility.
2G (Second Generation):
Timeline: Early 1990s
Key Features: Digital networks (GSM, CDMA)
Introduction of SMS (Short Message Service)
Technology: GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)
Frequency Bands: 900 MHz, 1800 MHz (GSM); 800 MHz, 1900 MHz (CDMA)
Speed: Up to 64 Kbps
Use Cases: Voice calls, SMS, limited data services.
2.5G (GPRS – General Packet Radio Service):
Timeline: Late 1990s
Key Features: Packet-switched data, basic internet.
Technology: GPRS
Frequency: Utilized existing 2G frequencies
Speed: Up to 144 Kbps
Use Cases: Basic mobile internet, email.
2.75G (EDGE – Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution):
Timeline: Early 2000s
Key Features: Improved data rates compared to GPRS.
Technology: EDGE
Frequency: Utilized existing 2G frequencies
Speed: Up to 384 Kbps
Use Cases: Enhanced mobile internet, multimedia messaging.
3G (Third Generation):
Timeline: Early 2000s
Key Features: High-speed data transmission
Mobile internet access, video calling
Technology: UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System), CDMA2000
Frequency Bands: Varied (2 GHz range)
Speed: Several Mbps (up to 14.4 Mbps for UMTS)
Use Cases: Mobile internet, video calling, more advanced data services.
4G (Fourth Generation):
Timeline: Mid-2000s (commercial deployments in 2009)
Key Features:LTE (Long-Term Evolution) technology
High-speed broadband, low latency
Technology: LTE
Frequency Bands: Varied (700 MHz to 2.6 GHz and higher)
Speed: Up to several hundred Mbps (peak speeds)
Use Cases: Mobile broadband, HD video streaming, advanced mobile services.
5G (Fifth Generation):
Timeline: Commercial deployments started in 2019
Key Features: Massive data capacity
Low latency, high reliability
Network slicing, Massive MIMO, mmWave technology
Technology: NR (New Radio)
Frequency Bands: Sub-6 GHz and mmWave (24 GHz and above)
Speed: Multi-Gbps (peak speeds)
Use Cases: Enhanced mobile broadband, IoT, critical communication, augmented reality, virtual reality.
6G (Expected Future Generation):
Timeline: Anticipated in the 2030s
Key Features (Expected):Extremely high data rates (potentially terabits per second)
Ultra-low latency (sub-millisecond)
Advanced AI integration, quantum communication
Technology: Yet to be defined, expected to include breakthrough technologies
Frequency Bands (Expected): Terahertz frequencies
Speed (Expected): Terabits per second
Use Cases (Expected): Holographic communication, advanced augmented reality, AI-driven applications, immersive experiences.
