5 ms·

You know, I'd like a clear definition on what exactly each "generation" of wireless technology means. From what I've read, everyone seems to have their own def

You know, I'd like a clear definition on what exactly each "generation" of wireless technology means. From what I've read, everyone seems to have their own definition for what constitutes a generational change in wireless technology, which signals to me that this these labels are that much more marketing fluff (like Comcast's "SpeedBoost"). I'd be okay with them structuring their marketing like this for user looking for a quick shorthand if they actually wrote down what those shorthand terms meant. However, they're not actually doing that. Worse yet, they're going back and revising the boundaries between generations so that only the latest technology is at the latest generation. When EDGE was introduced, it was marketed as 3G. These days, its considered "2.75G," whatever that means. How can I know what the difference is between 3G and 4G when the differences between generations aren't clearly explained and are subject to historical revision?

nanairo 16y ago
That might be an American thing, dunno... In Europe things seem quite clear (or at least they are consistent ;) ) * GSM -> 2G * GPRS -> 2.5G * EDGE -> 2.75G * UMTS -> 3G * HSPA -> 3.5G * HSPA+ -> 3.7G * LTE -> 3.9G (here I agree with you: this is something advertised as 4G, mostly because of the speed difference) * LTE Adv -> 4G I don't know about non-European standards. That said many of those numbers are just a handy way to explain to the common user concepts like: "An intermediate GSM=2G to take us to UMTS=3G". Hence it is called 2.5G. Then UMTS takes longer to appear then expected, so in the meantime a new intermediate standard appears between GPRS=2.5G and UMTS=3G. Etc... :) Hope that helps.
known 16y ago
1G - Analog technology (AMPS et al) 2G - Digital transmission (GSM, TDMA, CDMA et al) 3G - WCDMA (UMTS (aka the orginal 3G), HSDPA, EVDO et al) 4G - OFDM (LTE, WiMax et al)

nanairo 16y ago

That might be an American thing, dunno... In Europe things seem quite clear (or at least they are consistent ;) ) * GSM -> 2G * GPRS -> 2.5G * EDGE -> 2.75G * UMTS -> 3G * HSPA -> 3.5G * HSPA+ -> 3.7G * LTE -> 3.9G (here I agree with you: this is something advertised as 4G, mostly because of the speed difference) * LTE Adv -> 4G I don't know about non-European standards. That said many of those numbers are just a handy way to explain to the common user concepts like: "An intermediate GSM=2G to take us to UMTS=3G". Hence it is called 2.5G. Then UMTS takes longer to appear then expected, so in the meantime a new intermediate standard appears between GPRS=2.5G and UMTS=3G. Etc... :) Hope that helps.

known 16y ago

1G - Analog technology (AMPS et al) 2G - Digital transmission (GSM, TDMA, CDMA et al) 3G - WCDMA (UMTS (aka the orginal 3G), HSDPA, EVDO et al) 4G - OFDM (LTE, WiMax et al)