A Brief Description About 2G, EDGE, 3G and 4G Mobile Networks

Based on network connectivity, (like 2G, EDGE, 3G, etc.) how you choose your smartphone? Do you go for the fastest possible mobile network connectivity? Or, you choose a smartphone, who support your current mobile connectivity services?

Do you know the real differences among these data connectivity options? The higher the data connectivity support doesn’t mean that you’ll have only advantages for connectivity options, these also have many disadvantages too.

To aware you with all available connectivity options, their features, advantages and disadvantages, here is an article which will include all the details and specifications of the networks so that you will get to know the best way to connect to the internet which will help you to choose your next smartphone more wisely.

1. GSM or 2G Network

GSM (Global system for mobile communication) is the standard by which vast number of handsets work. The connectivity is being used by over 2 billion people worldwide. It falls in 2G (second generation) mobile connectivity network. The majority of GSM Networks provide 20 - 40 kbps speed.

2. EDGE Network

EDGE (Enhanced data rate for GSM evolution) is enhancement to 2.5 GSM network. The network has been classified as “3G” standard due to the fact that it can provide speed up to 473.6 kbits/second but it is typically limited to 70 – 130 kbps speed in order to conserve spectrum resources.

3. 3G Network

3G (Third generation of mobile telecommunications technology) initially came to market as a way to offer video calling support on mobile networks. However, at most of the places, 3G speed are similar to EDGE connection speed.

At the places where 3G coverage is poor, handsets constantly checks for 3G network which can have a dramatic effect on battery life. It can drain up to 50% battery on some cellphones. So, it is wise to check if you can cope with this disadvantage of 3G. At this time though 3G has good coverage and enables high-speed internet access from your phone and becoming a standard for mobile connectivity.

4. HSDPA Network

HSDPA (High-Speed Downlink Packet Access) is advancement to 3G and usually classified as 3.5G technology. The technology can provide support speed of 7.2 Mb/s but in reality, you will get a peak speed of 3 Mb still, it is fine for mobile TV streaming and other high-end transmission.

5. HSUPA Network

HSUPA (High-Speed Uplink Packet Access) is another side of the technology which is not mentioned by most of the mobile manufacturer but it is also important. Together the 2 technologies make HSPA (High Speed Packet Access).

6. HSPA+ Network

HSPA+ (High-Speed Packet Access) is an evolution to HSPA (i.e., HSUPA + HSDPA) technology which provides much fast speed to browse internet, downloading, uploading and sending/receiving emails and instant messages. It can provide the support speed of up to 168 Mb/s however, in reality, you’ll get a peak speed of 21 Mb/s which is because the current 3G network architecture is not designed to handle such massive bandwidth.

The idea of HSPA+ was to provide 4G connection speed to the customers without having to use new masts and radios. It support backward compatibility which means, you can use HSDPA network too at this network but in order to take advantage of higher speed, you need to upgrade to HSPA+ plans.

7. LTE Network

LTE (Long Term Evolution) is the first step forward true 4G technologies. However, in a way to become true 4G, download speeds of 100 Mb/s to 1 Gb/s was required to achieve pedestrian points respectively. LTE is supposed to offer download speeds of 299.6 Mb/s but it is providing 8 to 50 Mb/s support speed. LTE requires brand new network technology and masts / radios. This also means that the devices that support LTE will also need to have a compatible receiver.

8. True 4G

LTE is classified as 4G but it is not providing the recommended speeds but their are some technologies such as LTE-Advanced, Mobile Wimax which are achieving the goal of providing recommended speed hence, these are called True 4G (Fourth generation).

At the time, this technology is not provided to be commercially available in all the countries. Some countries are using it for testing purpose. You need to check news of true 4G “especially” for your country about the availability.