Evolution of Wireless Technology from 1G to 5G and their description with comparison of 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G

Wireless is the term that is used to describe any computer network where there is no physical connection between sender and receiver but the network is connected with radio waves or microwaves to manage communications.

Wireless networking is growing very fast and there is real growth from 1G to 5G where the terminology, techniques, modulations and many more changes observed in the radio interface.

Evolution of Wireless Communication

1G Technology

1G refers to first generation of wireless telephone technology which was first introduced in 1980's.

- It uses Analog signal.
- Its speed was upto about 2.4kbps.
- It allows the voice calls in 1 country.
- AMPS was first launched in USA in 1G mobile networks.

Drawbacks of 1G

- Large phone size.
- No Security.
- Limited Capacity.
- Poor Voice quality and low battery life.
- Poor Handoff terminologies.

2G Technology

It is 2nd generation which is based on GSM and it was launched in 1991 in finland. It uses digital signals and its data rate is upto about 64kbps. It enables services like text, picture messages and MMS. It has better capacity and quality.

Drawbacks of 2G

- These are unable to handle complex data like videos.
- 2G requires strong digital signals to help mobile phones work.

2.5G Technology

2.5G is the technology between 2G and 3G. Sometimes 2.5G is termed as 2G with GPRS. It includes Send/Receive E-mail messages, phone calls, web browsing, speed is 64-144kbps.

3G Technology

3G is third generation technology introduced in 2000's. Data transmission increased from 144kbps - 2Mbps. It provides faster communication, send/receive large e-mail messages, more security, high speed, video conferencing, 3D gaming, mobile TV, phone calls, large capacities and broadband capabilities, download speed is fast.

Drawbacks of 3G

- High Bandwidth requirement.
- Expensive 3G phones and large cell phones.
- High 3G licenses fees.
- Big challenge to build a infrastructure for 3G.

4G Technology

4G technology is fourth generation technology and capable of providing 100Mbps to 1Gbps speed. It can be termed as - Mobile multimedia, Anytime Anywhere, Global mobility support, Integrated wireless solution, Customized personal services and also known as mobile broadband everywhere. 4G has high QoS and high security. It provides any kind of service at any time and anywhere as per user requirements. It includes low cost per bit, high capacity, high speed and more security.

Drawbacks of 4G

- Battery usage is more.
- Expensive equipment required to implement next generation network.

5G Technology

5G is the fifth generation technology. Complete wireless communication with almost no limitation. It is highly supportable to WWWW (Wireless World Wide Web). Faster data trasmission as compared to previous generations, large phone memory, clarity in Audio/Video. It supports interactive multimedia, voice, streaming video, internet and other. It has high speed and high capacity. 5G is more effective and more attractive.