The 'G' in wireless mobile networks represent the Generation of data transfer speeds and the types of applications that they support.
Because of the increasing need for faster processors as technology continues to get more and more accessible and simpler it is important to understand which generation of networks best suits a gadget.
Latest generations of networks are built to support more data-intensive applications and cutting-edge technologies, and they are an improvement of earlier editions.
First Generation (1G)
In 1991, the first generation of wireless Mobile Networks was introduced known as 1G.
Despite supporting voice calls, the network had a low capacity and was easily interrupted and interfered with by noise.
Its data transfer speed was only 2.4(kbps) Kilobits per second.
Second Generation (2G)
The second generation wireless network was introduced in the 1990s making it the first network that made it possible to send text messages known as ‘SMS’.
It also allowed for the wireless transfer of picture messages known as multimedia messaging service (MMS).
The network provides data transfer speeds of up to 50 kbps (Kilobits per second).
Third Generation(3G)
Video calling became possible in 2001 with the introduction of the 3G network marking it the third generation of wireless networks.
During this period, smartphones became more popular because the network gave access to the internet.
3G provided data transfer speeds of up to 2mbit (Megabit).
Fourth Generation(4G)
In 2010, the fourth generation of wireless networks was introduced allowing for faster downloads and the transmission of multimedia content such as video and audio streaming.
It was designed to support more data-intensive applications such as high-definition (HD) video streaming and online gaming.
4G networks provided data transfer speeds of up to 100 Mbps(Megabytes).
Compared to the 3G network which took more than five hours to download a movie, 4G would take about 10 minutes to download the same movie.
Fifth Generation (5G)
5G was the fifth and the latest generation introduced in 2020 to support virtual reality and other emerging technologies.
The network allowed for the provision of data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps(Gigabits per second), which is several times faster than 4G.
Some of the potential technologies that could follow 5G that researchers and tech companies are working on include 6G, Terahertz communication, Quantum communication, Visible light communication, and Satellite-based networks.
