GENERATIONS OF INTERNET: Everything you need to know

The internet has become a vital part of the modern world, inseparable from daily life and routines. It wasn’t always this way though; the history of the internet started somewhere. From simple computer networks to global interconnectivity and instantaneous wireless communications, the rapid and dramatic evolution of the internet can help with understanding the changing nature of technology and communications.

 The internet history starts in the 1960s. While you connected to internet, the speed of your internet is depends upon the signal strength that has been shown in alphabets like 2G, 3G, 4G etc. right next to the signal bar on your home screen. Each generation is defined by the technological implementation of a particular mobile phone system. The speed increases and the technology used to achieve that speed also changes. This is how the evolution of generation started.

First off, the G in “4G” or “5G stands for generation and the number is just a representation of the evolution of technology. Currently, as you may know, we are using the 4^th generation of wireless communication technology. But let’s start from where it all began:

Generations

 While connected to the internet, the speed of the connection depends upon the signal strength that is shown in abbreviations like 2G, 3G, and 4G, etc. on any mobile device. Each generation of wireless broadband is defined as a set of telephone network standards that describe the technological implementation of the system.

The aim of wireless communication is to provide high quality, reliable communication just like wired communication and each new generation represents a big leap in that direction. Mobile communication has become more popular in the last few years due to fast reform in mobile technology.

What is 5G

The next generation of wireless network is 5G.  It’s the next step in mobile technology which offers faster data and more reliable connections on smart phones and other devices than ever before. 5G will take a much larger role than previous generations. This new era will leap ahead of current wireless technology, known as 4G, by offering mobile internet speeds that will let people download entire movies within seconds and most likely bring big changes to video games, sports and shopping.

 5G will elevate the mobile network to not only interconnect people, but also interconnect and control machines, objects, and devices. It will deliver new levels of performance and efficiency that will empower new user experiences and connect new industries. 5G will deliver multi- Gbps peak rates, ultra-low latency, massive capacity, and more uniform user experience. 

One of the important 5G technology features is, it can handle thousands of traffic than today’s networks which is 10 times faster than 4G All smart phone companies are trying best to launch their 5G enabled devices and connections with South Korea and the US

While these nations have already launched 5G connection, 5G Technology in India is a distant dream. There was the latest update which said India and Israel were partnering up to develop 5G technology. However, as per the government 5G technology will arrive in India as late as 2022.

Other generations

1G: Voice Only

Cells phones began with 1g in the 1980s. 1G is an analog technology and the phones generally had poor battery life and voice quality was large without much security, and would sometimes experienced dropped calls.

The max speed of 1G is 2.4 KBPS.

2G: SMS & MMS

Cells phones received their first major upgrade when they went from 1G to 2G. This leap took place in 1991 on GSM network first and effectively took cell phones from analog to digital. The 2G telephone technology introduced call and text encryption, plus data services like SMS, picture messages, and MMS.

The max speed of 2G was 50 KBPS,

Before making a major leap from 2Gto 3G, the lesser- known 2.5G and 2.75G were introduced

3G:  Mobile internet, video calls.

  3G networks were introduced in 1998. 3G ushered in faster data-transmission speeds so you could use your cell phones in more data-demanding ways like for video calling and mobile internet. Like 2G 3G also evolved into 3.5G and 3.75G.

The max speed of 3h is around 2mbps

4G: the current standard

The fourth generation networks are called 4G, which was released in 2008. It supports mobile web access like 3G but also gaming service, HD movies TV, video conferencing, 3D TV and other things that demand higher speed.

The max speed of a 4g network when the device is moving is 100mbps 0r 1gbps for low mobility like walking.

Advantages of 5G

• Data rates of about 10 Gbps or higher can be achieved. Which provides the user with better experience and download and upload speeds will be higher.
• High resolution and bi-directional large bandwidth shaping.
• 5G mm-wave can achieve latency rate less than 1ms. which will leads to immediate connection establishment and release with the 5G network by 5G smart phones. Hence traffic load is decreased on 5G
• Possible to provide a uniform, consistent and uninterrupted, connectivity across the world.
• Technology is able to gather all networks on one platform.
• 5G offers 10 x decreases in latency, 100x traffic capacity 10x connection density, 3x spectrum efficiency, and 100x network efficiency.
• Easily manageable with the previous generations.

Disadvantages of 5G

• 5G types of equipment are costly, requires skilled engineers to install and maintain a 5G network. This increases the cost of 5G deployment and maintenance phases
• 5G technology is still under process and research is going on.
• 5G smart phones are costly. Hence it will take time for the common man to make use of 5G technology.
• Security and privacy issue yet to be solved in 5G
• Coverage distance of up to 2 meters (in indoor) and 300 meters (in outdoor) can be achieved due to higher losses at high frequencies (such as millimeter waves). 5G mm-wave may suffer many such losses (penetration loss, attenuation due to rain, foliage loss, etc.